Pope Francis has apologised following reports that he used extremely derogatory language towards gay men.

A statement from the Vatican said the Pope did not mean to offend anyone and apologised to those who were "hurt by the use of a word".

At the Italian Bishops' Conference, the pope reportedly said gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood, adding there was already an air of frociaggine, which translates as a highly offensive slur.

This meeting was in private, but has been widely reported.

Pope Francis apologized on Tuesday after he reportedly used a homophobic slur while reiterating his opposition to gay people becoming priests during a private discussion on the matter with bishops last week.

“There is already too much frociaggine” in seminaries, Francis has been quoted as saying, using an Italian word that roughly translates to “faggotry.”

The Vatican has declared that transgender people who undergo surgery to change their bodies are violating God's plan for human life.

On Monday, the Vatican's doctrine office issued "Infinite Dignity," a 20-page declaration that has been in the works for five years. It was approved on March 25 by Pope Francis, who ordered its publication this week. The document states that God created man and woman as biologically different beings, and that people should not try to alter that plan or "make oneself God."

The Vatican declared Monday that transgender surgeries, surrogacy, and gender theory are threats to human dignity, breaking with the progressive approach to social issues that Pope Francis has adopted in recent years.

In a 20-page document titled “Infinite Dignity,” the Vatican argues these practices are comparable to euthanasia or abortion as violations of God’s plan for human life. The declaration, five years in the making, was signed and approved by Pope Francis, who ordered it to be written and published.

Pope Francis on Sunday celebrated Easter Mass with tens of thousands of Catholics at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City before his traditional blessing, as concerns persist over his health.

The 87-year-old arrived in a wheelchair to preside over the Mass from 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) in cloudy and windy weather, with the events broadcast live around the globe.

Francis will pronounce the "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and the World) blessing at midday where he is expected to bring up the international conflicts raging worldwide.

Pope Francis cancelled his attendance at the Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum at the last minute, in what the Vatican described as an attempt “to preserve his health” ahead of more Easter week engagements.

Francis’ agenda for the next two days consists of an Easter vigil service on Saturday evening, an Easter mass, and the delivery of his twice-annual Urbi et Orbi (to the city and world) message and blessing on Sunday morning.

Pope Francis has no plans to resign from office — though he says some in the Church wish he would. 

The pontiff addresses the topic in “Life: My Story Through History,” his forthcoming autobiography. Excerpts from the book, which explores in detail the most significant moments of the 87-year-old’s life up until the present day, were published March 14 by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.