Pope Francis Accused of , Repeating Homophobic Slur.br Last month, Pope Francis used an offensive word br to describe gay men while in a closed-door br meeting with bishops, NBC News reports.br After the news got out, the Vatican issued br an apology "to those who were offended.".br As he has had the opportunity to state br on several occasions, 'In the Church br there is room for everyone, for br everyone! No one is useless, no one br is superfluous, there is room for br everyone. Just as we are, everyone.', Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, via statement.br The pope never intended to br offend or express himself in br homophobic terms, and he br extends his apologies to those br who were offended by the use br of a term, reported by others, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, via statement.br According to Italian news agency ANSA, br the pope used the homophobic slur again in br another meeting with Roman priests on June 11. .br He allegedly used the word while suggesting that gay men should not be allowed in seminaries but should be welcome in the Catholic Church.br When asked to comment, the br Vatican referred to a previous statement br it made regarding the latest meeting.br The statement highlighted the pope's desire to welcome "people with homosexual tendencies,".br while exercising caution br "regarding their entry into the seminary.".