Pope Francis has issued an apology following reports of using a gay slur during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops.
The Vatican stated that the Pope did not intend to offend anyone and expressed regret to those who were hurt by his choice of words.
The incident occurred during a gathering with over 250 bishops, where the pontiff apparently made derogatory comments about openly homosexual men in priestly training colleges.
The reports of his remarks caused international controversy and garnered reactions from various groups, including LGBTQ advocates and Catholic practitioners.
The Vatican did not confirm the specific language used by Pope Francis, but acknowledged the media coverage of the event.
“As he had the opportunity to state on several occasions: ‘In the Church, there is room for everyone, everyone! Nobody is useless, nobody is superfluous, and there is space for everyone. Just as we are, all of us,” the statement said.
