Pope Francis repeats gay slur in closed-door meeting — reports

Francis had been credited with making substantial overtures towards the LGBT community. Some observers of the Vatican say his recent missteps undermine his authority

It is reported that the pope said it was better that young men with a homosexual tendency not be allowed to enter the seminary. Picture: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

Pope Francis has again used a highly disparaging word against gay people for which he had already apologised last month, ANSA news agency said on Tuesday.

Italian media had attributed to the pope the use of the word "frociaggine", a vulgar Italian term roughly translating as "faggotness", on May 20 during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops.