Vatican: Pope Francis has apologized following reports that he used extremely derogatory language towards gay men. A statement from the Vatican said the Pope did not mean to offend anyone and apologized to those who were “hurt by the use of a word”.
At the Italian Bishops’ Conference, the pope reportedly said gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood, adding there was already an air of frociaggine, which translates as a highly offensive slur. This meeting was in private, but has been widely reported.
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, informed reporters that Pope Francis is “aware” of the articles about a closed-door conversation with Italian Bishops, and affirms that the Pope “never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended”.
“Pope Francis is aware of the recent articles regarding a closed-door conversation with the bishops of the CEI [Italian Bishops’ Conference]. As he has stated on many occasions, ‘There is room for everyone in the Church, for everyone! No one is useless; no one is superfluous; there is room for everyone. Just as we are, everyone.’ The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended by the use of a term, as reported by others.”
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