Italian gay activists have slammed the Vatican after it reportedly
refused to accept France’s nomination for new ambassador Laurent
Stefanini on the grounds of his alleged homosexuality.
"Clearly, even at the Vatican they do not practice what they preach," Flavio Romani, chairman of the Arcigay association said Friday in a statement, where he blamed "top prelates" of contradicting one of Pope Francis' most famous statements.
In 2013, the pontiff said that "if a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?
The debate comes as tensions rise between the Holy See and France's Socialist government after gay marriage was legalized in 2013, much to the outrage of the Catholic Church and traditionalists.
Vatican officials have refused to comment on the allegation.
