Pope Francis has once again broken from tradition. The religious figure, who shocked many last month when he said he would not pass judgment on homosexuals , posed this week for what many consider to be the first-ever pontiff selfie. The head of the Catholic Church followed the lead of a few Vatican visitors who turned their camera phone on themselves and then posted the picture on Twitter. As you can imagine, the image has gone more viral than a multiple-person pool alley-oop . Check it out here: Pope Francis Selfie
Pope Francis had a busy week in Brazil, visiting slums and prisons, blessing the Olympic flag and bringing three million people to mass on Sunday. But it was on the plane back to Rome where the newly-anointed pontiff took questions from reporters and made perhaps his biggest headline of the trip. According to the Wall Street Journal , he was asked about homosexuality, the reported “gay lobby” and the topic of gay priests in the Catholic Church. Here is how Pope Francis, 76, broached the delicate, hypothetical question of how he would respond to finding out that a cleric in his ranks was gay. “Who am I to judge a gay person of goodwill who seeks the Lord?” the pontiff said, speaking in Italian. “You can’t marginalize these people.” The Pope noted that he has not encountered significant resistance to reform, and joked that if there is a “gay lobby” he hasn’t yet seen it on anyone’s ID cards. Father James Martin, S.J., who is an admirer of Francis, said that the pontiff’s comment about gay people is consistent with the rest of his papacy. “One of Francis’ hallmarks is an emphasis on mercy, which you see in that response. That mercy, of course, comes from Jesus. And we can never have too much of it.” Predecessor Pope Benedict XVI signed a document in 2005 that said men with deep-rooted homosexual tendencies should not be priests. Francis has been much more conciliatory, as evidenced by these remarks. While stressing Catholic teaching that calls for homosexuals to be treated with dignity, Francis took issue with reporting on alleged Vatican gay sex scandals. One of Francis’ aides was allegedly investigated in a sex scandal, and rumors that Pope Benedict is gay surfaced shortly after his abrupt resignation. Francis took journalists to task for reporting on such matters, saying the allegations concerned matters of sin, not crimes like sexually abusing children. He denied wrongdoing on his aide’s part, and noted that in general, whenever someone sins and confesses, God not only forgives but forgets. “We don’t have the right to not forget,” he said.
Conan O’Brien apparently hasn’t seen The Vampire Diaries Season 4 . The talk show host was openly skeptical about Nina Dobrev’s chops as an action star last night, telling her he just can’t envision her as a badass. “I don’t mean to say the wrong thing, you’re obviously very attractive, very talented, I just don’t see you as someone who’s like kicking ass,” he told her. And then she demonstrated just how wrong he was … Nina Dobrev on Conan – Action Hero Skills The actress and co-star/girlfriend of Ian Somerhalder also discussed how she gets sex scene advice … from her mom. In surprising detail. Check it out: Nina Dobrev on Conan – Sex Scene Advice After a three-week hiatus, The Vampire Diaries returns tomorrow, and maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll see if Nina takes her mom’s back-arching tips to heart.
Justin Timberlake is a bona fide megastar in the music business and a successful actor to boot, but he may have missed his true calling as an SNL cast member. On Tuesday’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon , the singer showed his comic versatility once again, performing 2006’s smash hit “SexyBack” with a new twist. JT teamed with his frequent SNL collaborator Fallon – and the barbershop quartet known as the Ragtime Gals – to perform the song like never before. Watch the random and hilarious rendition of the song below … Justin Timberlake – SexyBack (Ft. Jimmy Fallon & The Ragtime Gals)
For reasons that defy comprehension, Kandi Burruss wants the world to know that she played a role in “Tardy for the Party.” The Real Housewives of Atlanta star is suing fellow cast member Kim Zolciak for unlawfully licensing, distributing and selling the track, which she wrote and Kim sang on. Or at least attempted to sing in. Kim Zolciak – Tardy for the Party In a statement to Too Fab, Zolciak says in response to the legal action: “This is nothing short of a publicity stunt, I find this lawsuit funny yet sad. Coming after me now and this song is 4 years old? I have in fact overpaid Kandi and have documents to prove it and my legal team will handle this accordingly.” This just in: NBC is moving #Smash to Saturdays at 9 pm beginning April 6. Ironically, the lawsuit is likely good publicity for Zolciak’s “Don’t Be Tardy,” as that spinoff premieres on Bravo on April 16. Kandi, meanwhile, is being represented by a name Bravo fans know well: Phaedra Parks .
It’s official: Jorge Mario Bergoglio is your next Pope and we know exactly what you are thinking: How does Snooki feel about his election? Fortunately, that reality star and many other celebrities have taken to Twitter and expressed their view on the new pontiff. Read on for their reactions… Mario Lopez : Big moment for the church & for those of us who call ourselves Catholics. I hope Pope Francis comes with an open heart & open mind… #Faith Snooki : Yay for Pope Bergoglio!! He’s adorable. Piers Morgan : Pope Francis 1 is known as a frugal, humble, moderniser. Sounds just what the Catholic Church needs. Joy Behar : It’s already starting. Donald Trump wants to see the new Pope’s birth certificate. Craig Ferguson : Rumors already swirling in Hollywood that the new Pope will replace Leno on NBC at 1130. Star Jones : I’m not Catholic…but am excited by the election of #NewPope. May he be blessed with wisdom & the love of Christ. Mia Farrow : American Catholics praying for a liberal Pope who will lead reform. But that is unlikely. Carson Daly : I like the new pope. Opted for silence before he first spoke. Pray for me before I pray for you. Humble. #goodstart
