Pope Francis Eager to Lose 'Narcissistic' Nature of Papal Court

THE GUARDIAN: Pontiff criticises Roman curia for self-interested Vatican-centric vision that neglects Catholics of wider world

Pope Francis has said he will do everything he can to change the "introspective and Vatican-centric" nature of the Holy See, criticising the Roman curia for neglecting the wider world and its 1.2 billion Catholics.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica – his second in as many weeks – the pontiff hit out at the historic pomp of some of his "narcissistic" predecessors, describing the papal court as "the leprosy of the papacy".

He also said that, in a moment of great anxiety, after being elected head of the church in March, it occurred to him to not accept the role offered. But the moment soon passed, he said, and he then had no more anxiety or emotion.

Speaking to Eugenio Scalfari, a co-founder of the Italian daily, and an atheist, who had exchanged letters with him over the summer, the Argentinian pope said he agreed it would be difficult to reform the Vatican.

But he said that, while not St Francis of Assisi, who also had to "negotiate with the Roman power elite", he was the "bishop of Rome and the Catholic pope" so would try his best to shake up the Vatican. » | Lizziy Davies in Rome | Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Pope Admits There Is a ‘Gay Lobby’ at the Highest Levels of the Vatican

MAIL ONLINE: Pope Francis acknowledged its long-rumoured existence for the first time / Argentine Pontiff made remarks in audience with Latin American Catholics / He also said there was a 'current of corruption' in the Roman Curia

Pope Francis has acknowledged the existence of a 'gay lobby' inside the Vatican's secretive administration for the first time.

Speaking during an audience with Latin American Catholics, the Argentine Pontiff said that there was a 'current of corruption' in the Roman Curia - the central governing body of the Catholic Church.

He also admitted the existence of a long-rumoured 'gay lobby' in the Curia, and hinted that he might take action over the issue.

Speaking in his native Spanish last Thursday, the 76-year-old told the CLAR (the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious Men and Women): 'In the Curia, there are truly some saints, but there is also a current of corruption.

'There is talk of a 'gay lobby' and it's true, it exists,' he said, in a report on Chilean website Reflexion y Liberacion [sic]. 'We will have to see what we can do.’ Read on and comment » | Daily Mail Reporter | Tuesday, June 11, 2013