Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Elton John Calls Out Vatican For Investing Millions In 'Rocketman' While Condemning Same-Sex Unions

Elton John Calls Out Vatican For Investing Millions In 'Rocketman' While Condemning Same-Sex Unions
Steve Granitz/WireImage via Getty ImagesMassimo Valicchia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Vatican's official statement refusing to bless same-sex unions was unsurprising, but incredibly disappointing.

The particularly harsh statement, approved by Pope Francis, ascertained that "since blessings on persons are in relationship with the sacraments, the blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit" and that God "does not and cannot bless sin."


But Elton John, an extremely vocal member of the LGBTQ+ community who has been open about his sexuality for decades called out the Vatican's notable hypocrisy on where they put their money versus their public statements.

Rocketman, a biopic of John starring Taron Egerton, received millions of dollars from the Vatican ($4.5 million, to be exact) to finish production.

The film makes no secret of John's sexuality, depicting his marriage to David Furnish honestly.





The Vatican's statement comes as somewhat of a surprise after several years of Pope Francis being deemed one of the most progressive Popes in charge of the Catholic Church in recent memory.

The Argentine Pope has contradicted former Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II's stances on homosexuality, who called it an "intrinsic evil" and an "affront to Christian values" respectively.






"Pray. Don't condemn," Francis said of parents to homosexual children.

"And if you, as a father or mother, can't deal with this on your own, ask for help, but always in dialogue, always in dialogue. Because that son and daughter has a right to family, and their family is this family, just as it is."





The Vatican's financial investments and its official statements do not match, as John's situation has shown.

As the world becomes more open and accepting across the board for all types of people who exist, the Catholic Church has a choice: stay behind, or show up for people who need it the most.

More from News/lgbtq

Heidi Klum
Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images

Heidi Klum Just Outdid Herself With Her 'Very Ugly' Medusa Halloween Costume—And Wow

Halloween is the coolest time of year for someone to express themselves and to let their true identity shine.

Some take the Halloween festivities very seriously, like a man in Decatur riding around his neighborhood on a bicycle while wearing a Michael Myers Halloween mask, or even Project Runway host Heidi Klum one-upping her costume year after year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Actor Jesse Eisenberg pictured at a film event — the Now You See Me star recently revealed he’s donating a kidney to a stranger, calling it his most meaningful act yet.
JB Lacroix/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Jesse Eisenberg's Kidney Gift

American playwright, filmmaker, actor, and now literal lifesaver Jesse Eisenberg is taking his holiday giving to a whole new level. The Now You See Me star revealed on the TODAY show that he’s donating one of his kidneys to a total stranger.

The man isn’t conjuring a disappearing organ act. He’s actually doing it.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Donald Trump; Changpeng Zhao
60 Minutes; Horacio Villalobos/Corbis/Getty Images

Trump Ripped For Hypocrisy After Claiming He 'Doesn't Know' Who Crypto Founder He Just Pardoned Is

President Donald Trump was criticized after he claimed during a sit-down interview with 60 Minutes correspondent Norah O'Donnell that he doesn't know who Binance cryptocurrency exchange founder Changpeng Zhao is despite pardoning him less than two weeks ago.

In 2023, Zhao pleaded guilty to violating anti–money laundering laws after Binance allegedly failed to report suspicious transactions involving groups such as Hamas and al-Qaida. He later apologized, paid a $50 million fine, and served nearly four months in prison before being pardoned by Trump.

Keep ReadingShow less
Split screen of a woman with a stern reaction and a man with a shocked expression.
@vanessa_p_44/TikTok

Guy Has Priceless Reaction To Learning His Mom Named Him After 'South Park' Character—And We're Obsessed

When it comes time for parents to name their soon-to-be-born child, they often cast a wide net looking for inspiration.

Many will name their child after a beloved friend or family member, while others might choose a name from a classic film, novel, or television series.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gavin Newsom
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Gavin Newsom Expertly Trolls Trump Administration With Parody Spirit Halloween Costume Memes

California Governor Gavin Newsom had social media users cackling after he, in a series of photos on X, mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with photoshopped meme versions of Spirit Halloween costumes.

Noem, who has led the nationwide immigration crackdown that continues to tear apart families around the country, is the "Border Barbie" of one meme that pokes fun at her for shooting her dog, her penchant for bringing camera crews wherever she goes, and the way South Park writers lampooned her in one of its most widely-seen episodes this year.

Keep ReadingShow less