Gay men can become priests as long as they are celibate, the Vatican hints

The new guidelines come just months after Pope Francis (pictured) was embroiled in a scandal over his alleged use of a homophobic slur (Picture: Vatican Media/Getty Images)

Gay men can now become Catholic priests – but only if they don’t have sex, a new Vatican guideline suggests.

In a surprise U-turn, the Vatican has signalled that openly gay men can now train to become priests.

However, they will have to remain celibate – a rule that already applies to heterosexual priests.