The French government is standing behind its decision to nominate openly gay diplomat Laurent Stefanini as its ambassador to the Vatican. Government spokesman Stephane Le Foll stated yesterday that they won’t be changing candidates, despite three months of silence from Rome.

“France has chosen its ambassador to the Vatican. This choice was Stefanini and that remains the French proposal,” said Le Foll.

Nominees are normally approved within six weeks, and the lack of response is seen as a tacit rejection.

Stefanini, a practicing Catholic, was France’s deputy ambassador in the Holy See from 2001 to 2005. Yet, while Pope Francis has been slowly relaxing the church’s hardline stance on homosexuality, he is yet to budge on the new appointment.

It’s not the first time the French government has put forward a gay diplomat. In 2007, it selected Jean-Loup Kuhn-Delforge as an ambassadorial nominee, but replaced him when the Vatican refused to respond.

But this time they’re standing strong, and waiting until Stefanini is either accepted or formally rejected. “Negotiations are underway. Every ambassador must be approved when they are nominated,” added Le Foll. “We are awaiting the response from the Vatican.”

French diplomat, Laurent Stefanini. AFP/Getty Images

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France Refuses To Rescind The Nomination Of Gay Ambassador To The Vatican (New Civil Rights Movement)