Pope Francis got all homophobic behind closed Vatican doors, referencing “fa**otness” in defending the Church’s ban on gays becoming priests.

The Pope mused …”There is already an air of fa**otness” in seminaries.

The Pope was talking to his bishops last week when he used the slur … unnamed bishops who were present reportedly said Francis used it “jokingly.”

The reference is a far cry from the Pope’s public stance … that there’s room for everyone in the Catholic Church.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued an apology of sorts, saying … “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 that was reported by others.”

It seems, however, the Pope never intended to offend because he thought his remarks would remain secret … and it’s unclear how he didn’t intend to express himself using a homophobic term.

In 2016 the Church spelled out its ban on gays, saying it could not admit men to seminaries who “practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture.”

Guess he won’t be in the parade next month.