VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis lamented that a “gay lobby” was at work at the Vatican in private remarks to the leadership of a Latin American church group which were published Tuesday in the Chilean-based website Reflection and Liberation.

The Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious confirmed Tuesday that its leaders had written a synthesis of Francis’ remarks after their June 6 audience. The group, known by its Spanish acronym CLAR, said it was greatly distressed that the document had been published and apologized.

In the statement, Francis is quoted as saying that while there were many holy people in the Vatican, there was also corruption: “The ‘gay lobby’ is mentioned, and it is true, it is there ... We need to see what we can do ...” the synthesis reads.

CLAR said no recording had been made of Francis’ remarks but that the leadership team — a half-dozen men and women — together wrote a synthesis of the points he had made for their own personal use.

“It’s clear that based on this one cannot attribute with certainty to the Holy Father singular expressions in the text, but just the general sense,” the statement said.