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Pope Francis apologizes after being quoted using homophobic slur
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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.
On Monday, it was reported that the Pope Francis had used derogatory language at the Italian Bishops’ Conference when asked if gay men should be allowed to train as priests if they remain celibate. The pope reportedly said gay men should not be allowed to train as priests even if they pledge to remain celibate, and he used a homophobic slur.
The pope was reportedly speaking in Italian, which is not his first language.
The remarks were first reported on the Italian tabloid website Dagospia and then by other Italian news agencies.
Pope Francis has been seen as being publicly respectful towards LGBTQ+ people and recently said priests should be able to bless same-sex couples in some circumstances, though he stressed the blessings would be for the individuals in the couples and not the couples themselves.
Anna Matranga in Rome contributed to this report.
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Driver strikes multiple pedestrians in Manhattan, several critically injured
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NEW YORK — A person of interest was taken into custody Thursday night after a pickup truck struck multiple pedestrians in Manhattan, authorities said.
The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. on Water Street between Montgomery and Jackson streets on the Lower East Side, according to the New York City Police Department.
According to police, the driver of a gray pickup truck hit multiple pedestrians. At least seven people were injured, the NYPD said, four of whom were in critical condition.
One person of interest was taken into custody.
The circumstances of the crash were unclear. The investigation is ongoing.
Stay with CBS2 News and CBSNewYork.com for the latest on this developing story.
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Nonprofit reunites Marines with their K9s
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