In a recent closed-door meeting with nearly 200 Roman priests at Rome's Salesian Pontifical University, Pope Francis has once again used a homophobic slur, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

This is not the first time the Pope has used such offensive language. Just a few weeks ago, during a meeting with Italian bishops, he used the derogatory term when discussing whether gay men should be allowed to enter the seminary. Following the incident, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, issued an apology on behalf of the Pope, stating that he never intended to offend and expressing his regrets to those who felt offended.

During the recent meeting with the Roman priests, Pope Francis discussed various topics, including the situation in Ukraine, the war in Gaza, and the role of artificial intelligence. According to Bruni's statement summarizing the meeting, the Pope reiterated the importance of welcoming individuals with homosexual tendencies into the Church, but also called for caution when considering admitting gays into the seminary. However, the statement made no reference to the Pope's use of the derogatory language.

While Pope Francis has been praised for his efforts to welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community into the Church throughout his papacy, his stance on gay priests has been less inclusive. In 2005, the Vatican released a document stating that individuals who practice homosexuality or support the "gay culture" should not be admitted to the seminary or ordained. This position was again upheld by Pope Francis in 2016.

The repeated use of the homophobic slur by Pope Francis raises concerns about the level of inclusivity within the Church. Many are questioning whether his positive messages of acceptance extend to all members of the LGBTQ+ community, including those who feel called to serve as priests.

Observers await further clarification or response from the Vatican as to their stance on this matter, and whether any steps will be taken to address the use of offensive language by the Pope.