Pope Francis apologizes after being quoted using homophobic slur

Pope Francis' office issued a statement on Tuesday responding to reports that the pontiff had used a homophobic term for LGBTQ+ people in a closed-door meeting with bishops.

"In the Church there is room for everyone, for everyone! Nobody is useless, nobody is superfluous, there is room for everyone. Just as we are, all of us," Pope Francis said in a statement.

The pope had "never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended by the use of a term reported by others," said Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office.