Pope Francis Apologizes for 'Scandals in the Vatican'

While speaking recently from St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Pope Francis offered a broad apology for the "scandals" in the Catholic church, leading followers to question what the pontiff's apology specifically pertained to.

The pope made his comments recently while speaking from St. Peter's Square, saying in a statement: "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," Francis said this week.

"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," the pope added.

The Vatican later followed up with the pope's comments, suggesting that Francis was referring to the "responsibility" of male church leaders.

A Vatican correspondent for BBC News has reported that it is possible Francis' comments were made in reference to Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa, a Vatican theologian who recently announced that he is a practicing homosexual.

Others have suggested that the pope is referencing the sexual abuse scandals that have plagued the Catholic church.

The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests [SNAP] said in a statement that the pope should focus more on stopping the abuse in the Catholic church than simply apologizing for it.

"It's more important that Francis stop abuse than that we forgive him for it," the group said. "But that takes courage, the courage that popes and bishops continue to lack."