A Papal apology

 

Pope Francis with members of the Italian Bishops' Conference  (Vatican Media)

POPE

• POPE FRANCIS
• ITALY
• ITALIAN BISHOPS' CONFERENCE
• PRESS OFFICE

Pope Francis never intended to offend: 'Room for everyone in the Church'

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, tells reporters that Pope Francis is "aware" of the articles about a closed-door conversation with Italian Bishops, and affirms that the Pope "never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended".

By Vatican News

"The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended by the use of a term, as reported by others."

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, made that statement on Tuesday in response to questions from journalists about the use of a term regarding the admission of homosexual people to the seminary.

"Pope Francis is aware of the recent articles regarding a closed-door conversation with the bishops of the CEI [Italian Bishops' Conference]. As he has stated on many occasions, 'There is room for everyone in the Church, for everyone! No one is useless; no one is superfluous; there is room for everyone. Just as we are, everyone.' The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended by the use of a term, as reported by others."