Regarding his alleged use of a homophobic slur during a private meeting with Italian bishops last week, Pope Francis has expressed regret.

The Pope apologised to anybody who were “hurt by the use of a word” and stated that he did not aim to offend anyone, according to a Vatican statement.

The pope apologises to anyone who was offended by a term he used that was brought to his attention by others. He never meant to offend or to express himself in a homophobic manner.

The 87-year-old pope allegedly used an unpleasant phrase last week when he expressed his aversion to out gay men enrolling in priestly training programmes, even if they ARE dedicated to celibacy, during a meeting with more than 250 bishops.

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Francis used the derogatory Roman phrase “frociaggine,” which translates as “faggotry,” to say that there was already too much of it in seminaries, according to two Italian publications.

The reports garnered international attention and provoked responses from the LGBTI community as well as devout Catholics.

The Argentine pope appeared to be speaking without understanding, according to several pundits.

The Vatican response cited press articles rather than confirming that he used the phrase.

According to what he was able to say on multiple times, “Everyone has a place in the Church! There is room for everyone and nobody is superfluous or useless. Just as each and every one of us is,” the statement read.