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Pope Francis, who has been widely quoted as using a highly derogatory word to describe the LGBT community, did not intend to use homophobic language and apologizes to anyone offended by it, the Vatican said.
“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 reported by others,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in an emailed statement.
Italian media reported on Monday that Francis used the Italian term “frociaggine,” roughly translating to “pedantry,” as he told Italian bishops he remained opposed to accepting gays into the priesthood.
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Italian political gossip website Dagospia was the first to report the alleged incident, which is said to have taken place on May 20 when the pope met with Italian bishops behind closed doors.
Bruni said Francis was “aware” of the reports.
The Vatican spokesman reiterated that the pope remains committed to a welcoming Church for all, where “no one is useless, no one is superfluous, (where) there is a place for everyone.”
Francis, who is 87, is seen as a significant outreach to the LGBT community during his 11-year papacy, but his reported comments have caused shock and dismay even among his supporters.
In 2013, at the beginning of his papacy, he famously said: “If a man is gay, seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?”
Last year, he allowed priests to bless members of same-sex couples, prompting significant conservative backlash.
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