Pope Francis did not mean to denigrate homosexuals when he used a controversial term about gay men in a private meeting this week, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis apologized for using harsh language about homosexuality during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops, The Vatican said in a statement Tuesday. Italian news outlet Dagospia broke the news on Monday that Pope Francis told the Italian Episcopal Conference in a private meeting that there is already too much 'f-----ness' in some seminaries and reaffirming that homosexuals should not be allowed to enter the priesthood.
The Vatican press office added that the pope 'never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of a term, reported by others.' POPE FRANCIS CORRECTS '60 MINUTES' ON CHURCH NOT BLESSING SAME-SEX UNIONS: 'THAT IS NOT THE SACRAMENT' The Vatican has ruled since 2005 that homosexual men cannot be considered for the priesthood. The pope himself has reaffirmed this decision on multiple occasions.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
34 recruits join Vatican's Swiss Guard, swearing allegiance to Pope FrancisThe world’s smallest army is still recruited from Swiss towns and villages.
Read more »
How Pope Francis opened the Vatican to trans sex workersAs Pope Francis moves to cement his legacy, he has opened the Vatican to a new community – transgender sex workers. It is a part of a broader outreach toward the LGBTQ+ community that has stirred anger and controversy inside the Catholic Church.
Read more »
Pope Francis Invites Gavin Newsom to Speak on Climate Change in the VaticanSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
Vatican Museums staff launch legal bid to demand better treatment, challenging Pope Francis' administrationEmployees of the Vatican Museums have filed a class-action complaint demanding improved benefits and working conditions, challenging Pope Francis' administration.
Read more »
60 Minutes goes inside the Vatican with Pope FrancisIn a rare conversation with Norah O'Donnell, Pope Francis talked about Catholics in Gaza and the legacy he hopes to leave in the Catholic Church.
Read more »
Pope Francis used offensive slur for gay men; Vatican apologizesYuliya Talmazan is a reporter for NBC News Digital, based in London.
Read more »