Cardinal Pizzaballa Used Feminine Slurs for Franciscan Friars ("Little Sluts")
- Born in 1965 in Castel Liteggio, in the province of Bergamo, Pizzaballa began his Franciscan vocation at a young age.
- He studied theology in Rimini, Ferrara and Bologna and was ordained a priest in 1990.
- His Franciscan vocation led him to the Holy Land, where he studied at the Biblicum Franciscanum and at the Hebrew University.
- In 2004 he was appointed Custos of the Holy Land and in 2016 Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
- From within the Patriarchate: "In truth, he didn't want to become Patriarch; that's why he remained Administrator for a long time. He preferred to return to Italy as bishop of some diocese or even to the Curia, but here in Jerusalem he is aware that there are unclear dynamics that have always made him a target for Israel."
- Francis appointed Pizzaballa patriarch in 2020 anyway.
- Over a drink or two, he gives out nicknames, including insulting and feminine ones for men, such as "little sluts" and the like. He even made such remarks to the friars in the sacristy during the preparation for the Eucharist.
- A Cardinal of the Curia commented bitterly: "It would be interesting to go from 'faggotry' [Bergoglio] to little sluts - quite a leap in quality."
- Unable to appreciate talent, he preferred to surround himself with simple and mediocre figures - as long as they were silent, loyal and absolutely harmless.
- A good administrator who managed to solve terrible financial problems, both in the Custody and in the Patriarchate.
- A seminarian in Jerusalem who "lacked affective and personal maturity" was expelled. Pizzaballa commented during a dinner attended by several priests, including the ex-seminarian's parish priest: "There are 'fag' circles. With this we've got rid of one for now."
- Pizzaballa has left behind an often divided environment. Some defend him staunchly. Others accuse him of being gossipy and incapable of maintaining sincere relationships with his confreres.
- He has taken a clear and courageous public stand in favour of Palestinian rights.
- He turned 60 in April and is in danger of condemning the Church to an "eternal pontificate".
- Those who know him well know that Pizzaballa is not an easy man to read, and that he is a very shrewd character, capable of speaking ill of even those he doesn't know.
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