The U.S. diplomatic mission to the Vatican in Rome celebrated the start of Pride Month by hoisting the Pride flag on the facade of its headquarters in Rome.
The U.S. Embassy in the Vatican is the diplomatic representative of the United States to the Pope and to the Roman Curia, the premier university of the Catholic Church.
“During June, [United States] We celebrate Pride Month,” the US Embassy in Rome said in a social media post on Thursday. [The embassy] We support the LBGTQI+ community and stand up against discrimination and other forms of persecution because of who they are and who they love. “
Along with the message, the embassy attached a photo of the national flag displayed outside the embassy building in Rome, Italy, just a few blocks from the Vatican.
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A pride flag is displayed outside the US Embassy at the Vatican. (U.S. Embassy in Vatican)
According to the teachings of the Catholic Church, same-sex attraction is not a sin per se, and all human beings are entitled to dignity, regardless of race, creed, gender or sexual orientation.
However, sodomy and other homosexual acts are considered “gross depravity” and the church “does not approve of them under any circumstances”.
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View of St. Peter’s Square during the Closing Mass of the 10th World Congress of Families in Vatican City. (Franco Orillia/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital contacted the State Department to ask whether the Catholic Church’s beliefs about sexuality were considered before deciding to raise the pride flag.
“America’s strength lies in its diversity. When America is inclusive, it is stronger at home and globally,” a State Department spokeswoman told Fox News Digital on Friday.
“Recognizing that each country’s situation is different, U.S. embassies and consulates have developed individualized plans to raise awareness of violence, abuse, and discrimination for LGBTQI+ people, including appropriate outdoor exhibits. ing.”
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Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican. (FOX News Photo/Joshua Commins)
A State Department spokesperson did not elaborate on whether representatives of the Vatican had been consulted on the decision to raise the flag.
“Homosexuals are expected to be chastity” Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) said. “By the virtue of self-control which teaches inner freedom, sometimes by the support of selfless friendship, by the grace of prayer and the sacraments, they can and should, gradually and resolutely, approach the perfection of Christianity. .”
The CCC is a universal summary and explanation of Catholic Teachings. It is intended to be an authoritative point of reference for established Catholic doctrine.
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Pope Francis leads the traditional Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. (Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket, Getty Images)
Papacy is an ecclesiastical and legal term that describes the jurisdiction of the Pope, the supreme authority of the Catholic Church. It is associated with, but distinct from, the Holy See itself and the Catholic Church as a whole.
Papal government is overseen by both the Pope and the Roman Papacy.
In contrast, Vatican City is the name of the sovereign state located within the city of Rome, home to the Pope and home to the Holy See.
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It is the smallest internationally recognized country in the world.
Although Vatican City does not have diplomatic missions as a country, the Holy See has diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries around the world. He is also a permanent observer of the United Nations.
The United States has maintained diplomatic relations with the Vatican since the presidency of George Washington.
