Pope Francis has responded to reports of him using a homophobic slur at the Italian Bishops’ Conference in May. When responding to a question about whether or not gay people should be admitted to Catholic seminaries, where men train for the priesthood, Pope Francis allegedly used a derogatory term, reported The Guardian. The outlet reported that during that conversation (which occurred in private), Pope Francis allegedly used the term "frociaggine," which is an Italian slur and considered to be extremely offensive.
The allegations were first reported by Italian tabloid outlet Dagospia, then later reported by other Italian outlets.
Other outlets cited sources that said the use of the slur might have been a “joke," or Pope Francis might not have realized that he was using an offensive term, according to The Guardian.
In a statement from the Vatican, the pope apologized on Tuesday, May 28.
“The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of a term, as reported by others,” the statement said, as per CNN.
More from LittleThings: Florida Priest Bites Woman During Communion: 'I Was Defending Myself And The Sacrament'
“Pope Francis is aware of the articles that have recently been published about a conversation held behind closed doors, with members of the Italian Bishops’ Conference. As he has had the opportunity to say on several occasions: 'There is room for everyone, for everyone in the Church! No one is useless, no one is superfluous, there is room for everyone. Just in the way that we are, all of us,'" the statement read, as per People.
