Pope Francis was recently quoted using a vulgar term for gay men when discussing the church's decision to reaffirm the ban on gay priests. The phrase was allegedly used in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops on May 20. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a statement about the reported use of the word saying, “The pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who were offended by the use of a term that was reported by others." Pope Francis has long promoted the idea that there is "Room for everyone" in the Catholic Church. Natalia Imperatori-Lee, chair of the religious studies department at Manhattan College said, "More than the offensive slur uttered by the pope, what is damaging is the institutional church’s insistence on ‘banning’ gay men from the priesthood as if we all do not know (and minister alongside) many, many gifted, celibate, gay priests." #Queer Up Religion