Pope Francis
2 min read

In a ground-breaking move, Pope Francis has given his endorsement and backing of same-sex unions.

The 83-year-old’s historic statement was made during an interview in the documentary titled: Francesco, which premiered at the Rome Film Festival on Wednesday.

“Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” The Pope stated.

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“What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that,” he added.

Previously opposing same-sex unions, the Pope’s comments are being described as a substantial break from not only his own previous comments but also from the church’s official position.

According to reports by the Catholic News Agency, the Pope stated in his 2013 book titled: On Heaven and Earth that he condemned laws “assimilating” same-sex relationships to marriage as “an anthropological regression.”

He also stated his concern that same-sex couples gaining the right to form unions and adopt could “affect children.”

“Every person needs a male father and a female mother that can help them shape their identity,” he added.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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EN: The mission, the ‘Church on the move’, is not a programme to be carried out by sheer force of will. It is Christ who makes the Church go out of herself. In the mission of evangelization, you move because the Holy Spirit pushes you, and carries you. #WorldMissionDay PT: A missão, a “Igreja em saída”, não é um programa, um intuito concretizável por um esforço de vontade. É Cristo que faz sair a Igreja de si mesma. Na missão de anunciar o Evangelho, moves-te porque o Espírito te impele e conduz. #DiaMundialdasMissões ES: La misión, la “Iglesia en salida” no es un programa que se logra mediante un esfuerzo de voluntad. Es Cristo quien saca a la Iglesia de sí misma. En la misión de anunciar el Evangelio, te mueves porque el Espíritu te empuja y te lleva. #JornadaMisioneraMundial IT: La missione, la “Chiesa in uscita” non sono un programma da realizzare per sforzo di volontà. È Cristo che fa uscire la Chiesa da sé stessa. Nella missione di annunciare il Vangelo, tu ti muovi perché lo Spirito ti spinge e ti porta. #GiornataMissionariaMondiale FR: La mission, “l’Église en sortie”, ne constituent pas un programme à réaliser. C’est le Christ qui fait sortir l’Église d’elle-même. Dans la mission d’annoncer l’Évangile, vous vous mettez en mouvement parce que l’Esprit Saint vous pousse et vous porte. #JournéeMissionnaireMondiale DE: Die Mission und „die Kirche im Aufbruch“ sind nicht ein Programm, das durch Willensanstrengung zu verwirklichen ist. Christus lässt die Kirche aufbrechen. Du bewegst dich in der Mission der Verkündigung des Evangeliums, weil der Geist dich antreibt und führt. #Weltmissionssonntag PL: Misja, «Kościół wychodzący» nie jest programem, który należy zrealizować wysiłkiem woli. To Chrystus sprawia, że Kościół wychodzi na zewnątrz. Podejmujesz misję głoszenia Ewangelii, ponieważ Duch cię pobudza i niesie. #ŚwiatowyDzieńMisyjny

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Despite his inconsistent comments, Pope Francis’ latest statement has been hailed as a great step forward, however, LGBT+ rights groups are also quick to highlight the Pope’s staunch opposition to the Trans community, notably in 2015 when According to the National Catholic Reporter he described the community as a threat and compared trans people to nuclear war and genetic manipulation.

Last Updated on Oct 22, 2020


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