Pope Francis Uses Offensive Slur , for Gay Men.<br />Last week, the pope used a derogatory term to refer to gay men in a closed-door meeting with bishops, two sources tell NBC News.<br />They were reportedly <br />debating the issue of allowing gay men <br />to train in seminaries to become priests.<br />That's when Francis used the offensive Italian term to express his opposition to the idea.<br />His comments left many shocked, considering his previous statements depicting a more welcoming nature toward the LGBTQ+ community. .<br />On May 28, the Vatican <br />apologized "to those who were offended.".<br />The church said Francis was "aware of articles that recently came out about a conversation, behind closed doors, with the bishops.".<br />As he has had the opportunity to state on <br />several occasions, 'In the Church there is room <br />for everyone, for everyone! No one is useless, <br />no one is superfluous, there is room for <br />everyone. Just as we are, everyone.', Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, via statement.<br />The pope never intended to offend or <br />express himself in homophobic terms, <br />and he extends his apologies to those <br />who were offended by the use of <br />a term, reported by others, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, via statement.<br />'Corriere della Sera,' an Italian newspaper, quoted several sources who suggest that the pope may not have understood just how offensive the term is.<br />Since he's a nonnative Italian speaker, the comment was likely "a gaffe on the part of the pope, rather than a slur," according to reporter Gerry O'Connell
