Pope Francis Apologizes for Controversial Comment on Gay Priests

Pope Francis apologized for using a vulgar term about gays while reaffirming the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests. The comment, delivered to Italian bishops, caused a media uproar. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni acknowledged the controversy and the inappropriate nature of the pope’s language.

Pope Francis apologised Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gays to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a statement acknowledging the media storm that erupted about Francis' comments, which were delivered behind closed doors to Italian bishops on May 20.

Italian media on Monday had quoted unnamed Italian bishops in reporting that Francis jokingly used the term “faggotness” while speaking in Italian during the encounter. He had used the term in reaffirming the Vatican's ban on allowing gay men to enter seminaries and be ordained priests.