The Pope reportedly used a derogatory term about gay men in a private meeting with bishops – where he is said to have reiterated they should not be allowed to become priests.
The Vatican has apologised after the Pope used a highly offensive word about gay men.
In a statement, it said: “Pope Francis is aware of the articles recently published about a conversation, behind closed doors, with the bishops of the CEI [the Italian Episcopal Conference of Catholic bishops].
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“As he stated on several occasions, ‘In the Church there is room for everyone, for everyone! Nobody is useless, nobody is superfluous, there is room for everyone. Just as we are, all of us.’
“The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologises to those who felt offended by the use of a term reported by others.”
Francis made the remark in a closed-door meeting with bishops, when describing priesthood colleges as already too full of “frociaggine” – a highly offensive Italian slur.
He is said to have reiterated that gay men should not be allowed to become priests.
The remarks were reportedly made on May 20, when the Italian bishops’ conference held a closed-door meeting with the pope, as first reported by political gossip site Dagospia.
The Rome-based national newspaper Il Messaggero reported that “the bishop bears full responsibility for breaking the rule of silence to report on the blunder that occurred last week.”
According to the newspaper, the pope’s comments were made during an informal question and answer session at the annual bishops’ conference attended by more than 200 clergy.
Some who want to defend the Pope say that the Pope’s native language is Spanish, not Italian, and that the Pope has made linguistic errors in the past when speaking in languages other than his native language. Some people said.
The 87-year-old Argentine reportedly often speaks in an informal manner, jokes in slang, and even swears in private.
The Pope is credited with leading the Roman Catholic Church to a more friendly approach to the LGBT+ community.
At the beginning of his pontificate in 2013, he said: “If someone is gay and seeks God and has good intentions, who am I to judge?”
Last year, he allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, and There will be a backlash that stirs up conservatives.
However, in 2018 he called on Italian bishops to carefully screen applicants for the priesthood and reject those suspected of homosexuality.
In a 2005 document, the Vatican said during the administration of Benedict XVI that those who had overcome their homosexual tendencies for at least three years could be admitted to the clergy.
However, the document also states that people with “deep-seated” homosexual tendencies or who “support so-called gay culture” should be excluded.