Pope raises eyebrows over alleged remark about women

Just days after Pope Francis apologized for a gay slur he allegedly used during a private meeting of bishops, another allegation is raising eyebrows. THE Guardian reports that the 87-year-old pontiff had another closed-door meeting in Rome on Thursday, this time with a group of young priests, and he reportedly warned them against “bad words” within their parishes and congregations. “Gossip is a woman’s business,” Francis reportedly told members of the clergy. “We wear the pants, we have to say things.”

The Independent notes that the alleged remarks were first reported by Silere Non Possum, a Catholic website often critical of the pope, followed by major Italian media outlets. The site's director, Marco Perfetti, claims to have audio of the comments, recorded by more than one person in the room with Francis. This is not the first time the pope has been accused of treading into sexist territory. The Spanish daily La Vanguardia recalls that in 2013, in front of 800 nuns, Francis declared that nuns should be “mothers and not old maids”. The Vatican has yet to comment on this latest commotion. (More stories from Pope Francis.)