(Hafsa Khalil. BBC News).
Pope Francis has apologised 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 apologised 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.
“Pope Francis is aware of the articles that have come out recently concerning a conversation he had with bishops… behind closed doors,” the statement quoted the director of the Holy See – the Catholic Church’s governing body – Matteo Bruni, as saying.
The Pope’s reported comments were first conveyed to the Italian tabloid website Dagospia, and were soon confirmed by other Italian news agencies.
There has been shock at the reported language, particularly as Pope Francis has often talked publicly of being respectful towards gay people.
Mr Bruni said: “As he [the Pope] has stated on more than one occasion, ‘In the Church there is room for everyone, everyone! Nobody is useless or superfluous, there is room for everyone, just the way we are.’”