Pope Francis apologises for Vatican 'scandals'

Pope Francis made the apology at his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square, but did not specify which scandals.

He is thought to be referring to a senior Polish priest who was dismissed from his Vatican post after announcing he was in a gay relationship.

The Pope's spokesman said the pontiff had not been referring to the recent resignation of Rome's mayor.

Federico Lombardi admitted to reporters that the Pope's apology had been "broad and generic" but said it did not refer to "political" situations involving Mayor Ignazio Marino, who resigned earlier this week over an expenses scandal.

Father Lombardi said the Pope was referring to scandals in which there is a "responsibility of men of the Church".

To thousands of people who had gathered for his weekly address, Pope Francis said: "Before I begin the Catechism, in the name of the Church, I want to ask you for forgiveness for the scandals that have occurred recently either in Rome or in the Vatican. I ask you for forgiveness."

He also said: "The word of Jesus is strong today, woe to the world because of scandals. Jesus is a realist. He says it is inevitable that there will be scandals. But woe to the man who causes scandals."

His words left Vatican observers scratching their heads in deciding exactly which scandals he meant, the BBC's David Willey reports from Rome.

Rome's mayor has come under criticism recently for the slow start in the city's preparations for the holy year due to begin in the second week of December. Millions of pilgrims are expected to travel to Rome for a series of Church events, and this will require extra policing and provision of accommodation and food and water, our correspondent notes.

But he was most likely referring to the announcement from Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa - a theologian who had worked in the Vatican's doctrinal office since 2003 - earlier this month that he was a practising homosexual, our correspondent adds.

Msgr Charamsa, 43, said he was in a relationship and was "happy and proud" of his identity, and wanted to challenge the Church's "backwards" attitude to homosexuality.

His revelations came on the eve of a major meeting to define the Catholic Church's teaching on family, which would consider issues of homosexuality and contraception.

The Vatican called his actions "very serious and irresponsible" and stripped him of doctrinal responsibilities.

Rumours, accusations and denials about a so-called Vatican gay lobby circulated during the much-heralded meeting of bishops and cardinals from around the world, our correspondent says.

Psalm 38
A psalm of David. A petition.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Your arrows have pierced me,
    and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
    there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed me
    like a burden too heavy to bear.
5 My wounds fester and are loathsome
    because of my sinful folly.
6 I am bowed down and brought very low;
    all day long I go about mourning.
7 My back is filled with searing pain;
    there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;
    I groan in anguish of heart.
9 All my longings lie open before you, Lord;
    my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me;
    even the light has gone from my eyes.
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;
    my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,
    those who would harm me talk of my ruin;
    all day long they scheme and lie.
13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,
    like the mute, who cannot speak;
14 I have become like one who does not hear,
    whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait for you;
    you will answer, Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat
    or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”
17 For I am about to fall,
    and my pain is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;
    I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies without cause[b];
    those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil
    lodge accusations against me,
    though I seek only to do what is good.
21 Lord, do not forsake me;
    do not be far from me, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
    my Lord and my Savior.