Pope Francis issues an apology: Pope Francis apologized after allegations by Italian media that he made a derogatory remark about LGBT people in a private meeting with bishops.

In an official statement, the Vatican stated that the Pope “extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of that term, as reported by others. ” he never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms.

Italian news outlets Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica claimed the Pope used the term “frociaggine,” which translates to “faggotness,” during the meeting.

The disputed term is said to have been used when the Pope was debating suggestions from bishops to change the rules for seminary applicants over the church’s position on permitting gay men to serve as priests.

Despite the fact that the meeting was private, other news organizations verified the remarks that were released. The Vatican claims that Pope Francis was “aware” of the reports and restated his earlier assertion that “there is room for everyone” in the Catholic Church.

Advocates for the Pope have speculated that he might have misapplied Italian slang terms, failing to recognize the extent of the offence. Pope Francis is predominantly Spanish-speaking, despite having grown up in an Italian-speaking family in Argentina.

The Pope’s alleged remarks have shocked many, especially in light of his prior public declarations endorsing equality for the LGBT community.

Early in his pontificate, he made the well-known statement, “Who am I to judge?” which spoke to a more accepting outlook.

Even though there hasn’t been much of an actual change, progressive admirers of Pope Francis have claimed that he has changed the Church’s stance on homosexual rights.

Pope Francis made a major step forward for LGBTQ+ people in the Roman Catholic Church last year when he permitted priests to bless same-sex couples.

It was stated in this ruling that priests could bless same-sex and “irregular” couples in certain situations.

Upholding the conventional understanding of marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman, the Vatican insisted that these blessings should not be a part of routine church ceremonies or connected to civil unions or marriages.