The Vatican apologized Tuesday “to those who were offended” after the pontiff used the derogatory term during a closed-door discussion with Italian bishops last week, two sources who were in the room told NBC News.

Pope Francis has apologized following reports that he used an anti-gay slur during a meeting with bishops. “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, as reported by others,” the Vatican said in a statement.

The pope’s choice of words in a closed-door meeting with bishops appeared to run counter to his efforts to thaw the relationship with the LGBTQ+ community.