Pope Francis has issued an apology after reportedly using an offensive slur towards gay men during a private meeting with Italian bishops. The Vatican confirmed the Pope's regret for any hurt caused by his words, emphasizing that he did not intend to offend.

The controversy arose from a statement made by the Pope at the Italian Bishops' Conference, where he reportedly suggested that gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood, adding that there was already an air of "frociaggine," a highly derogatory term. This private meeting, though meant to be confidential, was leaked and reported by the Italian tabloid Dagospia and subsequently confirmed by other news outlets.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See, addressed the issue, stating that Pope Francis is aware of the uproar caused by his remarks. Bruni reiterated the Pope's commitment to inclusivity, citing previous statements where Francis has emphasized that the Church should be a place for everyone, regardless of their background or identity.

The Pope’s reported language has been particularly jarring given his public stance on respect and acceptance towards gay individuals. Early in his papacy, Francis made headlines with his compassionate stance, famously stating, “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gay people. More recently, he has suggested that priests should be able to bless same-sex couples under certain circumstances, which has stirred debate among Catholic traditionalists.

Some Spanish-speaking defenders argue that the Pope, who grew up in an Italian-speaking household in Argentina, might have misjudged the severity of the slur due to his occasional struggles with Italian colloquialisms. However, the damage was significant, with LGBT Catholic groups expressing deep disappointment.

Marianne Duddy-Burke, head of the LGBT Catholic rights group DignityUSA, described the Pope's comments as "shocking and hurtful," particularly to gay priests who have dedicated their lives to serving the Church. She highlighted that, intentional or not, the Pope's remark underscores the persistent anti-gay bias within the Catholic institution.

This incident underscores the ongoing tension within the Church regarding its stance on LGBTQ+ issues, balancing traditional doctrines with a more inclusive approach advocated by Pope Francis.