VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis issued an apology on Tuesday after being quoted using a vulgar term to emphasize the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests. The remarks were delivered behind closed doors to Italian bishops on May 20 and caused a media storm when they were reported by Italian media on Monday.

In a statement, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni acknowledged the controversy surrounding Francis' comments and emphasized that the pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms. Bruni stated that Francis extends his apologies to those who were offended by the use of a term that was reported by others.

The Argentine pope, who has made outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics a focal point of his papacy, has consistently advocated for inclusivity in the Catholic Church. Bruni recalled that Francis has long insisted on "room for everyone" within the Church, despite the reaffirmation of the Vatican's ban on gay men entering seminaries and becoming ordained priests.

The ban, articulated in a 2005 document from the Congregation for Catholic Education and reiterated in a 2016 document, states that the Church cannot admit or ordain men who practice homosexuality, have deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the "so-called gay culture."

During the meeting with the Italian bishops, Francis humorously remarked that "there is already an air of faggotness" in seminaries, as reported by the Italian media. It is important to note that Italian is not the pontiff's native language, and he has been known to make linguistic gaffes in the past.

However, Francis has been commended for his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, particularly for his famous 2013 comment, "Who am I to judge?" when asked about a priest who had a gay lover in his past.

The incident occurred as the Italian bishops conference approved a new document outlining training for Italian seminarians. The details of the document, which is currently under review by the Holy See and has not been published, reportedly seek to provide some flexibility within the Vatican's ban on gay priests.

At 87 years old, Pope Francis often engages in informal and slang-filled conversations, even joking and cursing in private. Nevertheless, his commitment to fostering inclusion and acceptance within the Catholic Church remains steadfast.

The pope's apology serves as a reminder that words and expressions matter, particularly when discussing sensitive topics. It reiterates his commitment to ensuring that there is a place for everyone in the faith community he leads.

Image: Pope Francis attending the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on May 22, 2024. (File photo by Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters