VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, 88, delivered a candid message to nuns from the Union of St. Catherine of Siena of the Missionaries of the School during a meeting on Saturday, urging them to avoid gossip and present a more welcoming demeanour to attract people to the Church.
The pontiff advised the sisters to steer clear of the negativity associated with “vinegar faces” — a term he used to describe sour expressions that, according to him, hinder outreach efforts. “Many times in my life, I have encountered nuns with a vinegar face, and this is not friendly,” the pope remarked, emphasizing that such behaviour does not draw people closer to faith.
He also strongly warned against gossip, describing it as a destructive force within religious communities. “Gossip kills, gossip poisons,” he said.
“Please, no gossiping among you, none. And to ask this of a woman is heroic, but, come on, let’s move forward and no gossip.”
Pope Francis further encouraged the nuns to engage openly with everyone except “the Devil,” cautioning them against any form of dialogue with evil.
“The Devil enters the community, he sees the jealousies, all those things that belong to all humans, not just women.
That’s where the Devil goes. No dialogue with the Devil, understood? We don’t speak with the Devil,” he stressed.
Thanking the nuns for their contributions to their educational mission, he urged them to embody joy, kindness, and gratitude in their interactions, saying, “Be heralds of affability, a gift of the Spirit, and joy, living every encounter with radiant gratitude for the other in their sacred uniqueness.”
Pope Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, has occasionally faced criticism for his candid remarks. In June, he issued an apology following reports that he used a derogatory term when discussing the ordination of gay priests during a private meeting with about 200 clergy members in Rome.
The pope allegedly referenced an “air of frociaggine” — an Italian slur roughly translating to a pejorative term for homosexuality — while suggesting that individuals with strong homosexual tendencies should not be admitted to the priesthood.
Matteo Bruni, a Vatican spokesperson, clarified that Pope Francis had no intention of offending anyone and reiterated the pontiff’s longstanding message that “there is room for everyone” in the Catholic Church. “The pope extends his apologies to those who were offended by the term, which was reported by others,” Bruni stated.
One anonymous priest told The Times that the pope’s blunt speaking style, though sometimes controversial, reflects his personality. “Pope Francis speaks like this,” the priest said.
“He is rough-spoken. It can be embarrassing, and it could be getting more pronounced with age.”
Despite occasional controversies, Pope Francis remains a vocal advocate for inclusivity, balancing a call for compassion with his candid reflections on Church challenges.
