Pope Francis

Pope Francis has criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as "unjust," saying God loves all his children just as they are.

In a statement at the time, the Vatican urged countries to avoid “unjust discrimination” against gay people and end penalties against them. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he favored granting legal protections to same-sex couples as an alternative to endorsing gay marriage, which Catholic doctrine forbids. In 2008, the Vatican declined to sign onto a U.N. Some Catholic bishops have strongly upheld them as consistent with Vatican teaching, while others have called for them to be overturned as a violation of basic human dignity. Yes, but it’s a sin,” he said. 2 did and reaffirmed “the dignity of every human person and against every form of violence.” Experts say even where the laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ people. Instead, the Vatican No. In the U.S., more than a dozen states still have anti-sodomy laws on the books, despite a 2003 Supreme Court ruling declaring them unconstitutional. It must do this,” he said. Francis’ remarks come ahead of a trip to Africa, where such laws are common as they are in the Middle East. “It must do this.

In a new interview published Wednesday, Pope Francis said the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI meant he had lost a “good companion” and a father figure.

“For me, he was a security. 31, 2022, at the age of 95 — as a “gentleman.” In a new interview published Wednesday, Pope Francis said the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI meant he had lost a “good companion” and a father figure.

He stressed that lack of charity with one another is also a sin and added that the Catholic Church should work to put an end to laws in some countries that ...

He added that the Catholic Church should work to put an end to laws in some countries that criminalize homosexuality. He stressed the need to distinguish between the two, and said, for example, that lack of charity with one another is also a sin. [since the death of former Pope Benedict XVI](https://www.npr.org/2022/12/31/898524253/pope-benedict-xvi-dies), Pope Francis spoke about his health, his critics and the future of the papacy.

"Being homosexual is not a crime ... but it's a sin," the pope told AP in an interview published today.

[Pope Francis says homosexuality in the clergy "worries" him](https://www.axios.com/2018/12/02/pope-francis-says-homosexuality-in-the-clergy-worries-him) It’s also a sin to lack charity with one another." [Vatican in a decree](https://www.axios.com/2021/03/15/pope-vatican-priests-bless-gay-unions) approved by the pope said Catholic priests cannot bless such unions because God "does not and cannot bless sin."

The pope maintained that gay acts are a sin, but told the Associated Press that the Catholic Church must work to end "unjust" anti-gay laws around the ...

The issue of how the church approaches LGBT issues could come to a boiling point during an extraordinary churchwide assembly that Francis is convening in October. That decree, signed by Francis, came even after he had been [quoted in a documentary](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/pope-francis-civil-unions/2020/10/21/805a601c-139e-11eb-a258-614acf2b906d_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_16) as advocating for civil union laws. Although Francis criticized the criminalization of homosexuality, he made it clear he believes gay acts are a sin. A preparatory Vatican document cited calls from parts of the church to become more welcoming to those who “feel a tension between belonging to the Church and their own loving relationships.” The church teaches that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered,” and though Francis has tried to use a more welcoming tone toward LGBT Catholics — 3 to 5.

He acknowledged that Catholic bishops around the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality and discriminate against the LGBTQ community, attributing it ...

Accessed 25 Jan. AP NEWS, 25 Jan. Reuters, 9 Jan. He added that such bishops should undergo a process of change within themselves and recognize everyone's dignity. Yes, but it's a sin. "It's not a crime. Fine, but first let's distinguish between a sin and a crime," he said.

Pope Francis said laws criminalizing homosexuality are “unjust,” calling homosexuality a sin for Catholic worshippers, but not a crime.

What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered." "Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. “It’s not a crime. He noted that Catholic bishops around the world support laws criminalizing homosexuality and discriminating against LGBTQ individuals. Approximately 67 countries and jurisdictions around the world criminalize same-sex sexual activity. Yes, but it’s a sin.

In an exclusive interview with Associated Press reporter Nicole Winfield, published this morning, Pope Francis said homosexuality should not be a crime and ...

[originally published](https://charlotteclymer.substack.com/p/pope-francis-calls-on-world-to-decriminalize#details) in Charlotte’s Web Thoughts, a newsletter focused on politics, religion, culture, and humor — from a Christian trans woman. It is especially meaningful when he insists that LGBTQ people are entitled to a family, even if that family structure is imperfect in the eyes of traditional Catholics. A new pope is elected with 2/3 of eligible cardinal electors, so a current threshold of 83 if all eligible voters were to participate in a conclave today. Bottom line: don’t buy the nonsense view that this isn’t a big deal or that it won’t be helpful to LGBTQ people. No, of course not, but I’m also not gonna let that get in the way of meaningful progress. Over the years, he has periodically made headlines with his openness on topics of sexual morality.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov. Pope Francis has expressed his great sadness for the tragic shootings that killed eleven people during Lunar New Year in ...

In a back-to-back mass shooting in northern California just two days afterwards, seven people were shot dead in the coastal city of Half Moon Bay. According to the Associated Press, the suspect was found dead on Sunday, apparently having died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van. Authorities say he fled in the van after people thwarted his attempt to perpetrate a second shooting at the Lai Lai Ballroom in the nearby city of Alhambra on Saturday night. In it, he said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of the shooting that took place in the US. Assuring those affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness, the Pope said, he "joins the entire community in commending the souls of those who died to Almighty God's loving mercy." The Holy Father's message came on Wednesday in a telegram sent on his behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and addressed to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Archbishop José H.

The pope sent a telegram to L.A. Archbishop José Gomez on Jan. 25 expressing his sadness and assuring his spiritual closeness to “those affected by this ...

The pope sent a condolence telegram to Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles on Jan. A gunman opened fire at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night amid celebrations of the Lunar New Year. Pope Francis has offered his condolences after 11 people were killed in a shooting at a Los Angeles dance hall, one of two deadly mass shootings in California this week.

Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the ...

Gomez, Francis offered prayers and condolences to all impacted by the shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio. 25, by Archbishop José H. [Monterey Park](https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2023/01/22/monterey-park-mass-shooting-forces-city-into-international-spotlight/) dance studio.

In a missive received Wednesday, Jan. 25, by Archbishop José H. Gomez, Francis offered prayers and condolences to all impacted by the shooting at Star Ballroom ...

Gomez, Francis offered prayers and condolences to all impacted by the shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio. 25, by Archbishop José H. [Monterey Park](https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2023/01/22/monterey-park-mass-shooting-forces-city-into-international-spotlight/) dance studio.

In a missive received Wednesday, Jan. 25, by Archbishop José H. Gomez, Francis offered prayers and condolences to all impacted by the shooting at Star Ballroom ...

Gomez, Francis offered prayers and condolences to all impacted by the shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio. 25, by Archbishop José H. [Monterey Park](https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2023/01/22/monterey-park-mass-shooting-forces-city-into-international-spotlight/) dance studio.

Pope Francis criticized legislation that criminalizes homosexuality, urging Catholic bishops to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

when he was asked about a purportedly gay priest, Francis has gone on to minister repeatedly and publicly to the gay and trans community. Francis has not changed that teaching, but he has made reaching out to the LGBTQ community a hallmark of his papacy. The Vatican in 2008 declined to sign onto a U.N. 2, who reaffirmed "the dignity of every human person and against every form of violence." But he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops in particular need to undergo a process of change to recognize the dignity of everyone. Experts say even where the laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ people.

Pope Francis has said that the Catholic church must work to put an end to what he calls "unjust" laws that criminalize homosexuality, which are common in ...

POGGIOLI: And in the last 10 years, he has ministered publicly to the gay and transgender communities. He told the interviewer the church should work to put an end to anti-LGBTQ legislation, stressing it must do this. SYLVIA POGGIOLI, BYLINE: In a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis quoted from the catechism of the Catholic Church, saying gay people must be welcomed and respected and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.

Pope Francis has said that the Catholic church must work to put an end to what he calls "unjust" laws that criminalize homosexuality, which are common in ...

POGGIOLI: And in the last 10 years, he has ministered publicly to the gay and transgender communities. He told the interviewer the church should work to put an end to anti-LGBTQ legislation, stressing it must do this. SYLVIA POGGIOLI, BYLINE: In a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis quoted from the catechism of the Catholic Church, saying gay people must be welcomed and respected and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.

The pope said he joins the Monterey Park community "in commending the souls of those who died to Almighty God's loving mercy."

“Monterey Park is a very safe city,” St. “United with our Holy Father and our Blessed Mother, let us continue to pray for those who have died,” said the archbishop. “I never imagined something like this would happen there.” [Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-offers-prayers-and-condolences-after-california-shooting.html) in the wake of the Jan. The suspect in the shooting, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, was found dead in a Torrance parking lot the next day after apparently taking his own life. [ Chinese Catholics gathered at St.

The AP Interview: Pope Francis: Homosexuality not a crime. VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” ...

Pontiff tells The Associated Press, "Being homosexual is not a crime. It's a human condition."

Dignity of the person. "Finally, the pope, and the Church by way of the pope, is saying that anti-gay laws should be undone. "Dignity of human beings. Father Ken Boller, the pastor of St. And the church has never spoken out against criminalizing homosexuality," Gibson said. We are all children of God and God loves us as we are."

Women aren't inherently better preachers than men, but many of them have the gift and the vocation, says executive editor Heidi Schlumpf.

[Barbara Reid](https://www.globalsistersreport.org/node/181598), [president](https://www.globalsistersreport.org/node/194114) of Catholic Theological Union. [Discerning Deacons](https://discerningdeacons.org/), has done three reflections for Catholic Women Preach. A book celebration for Catholic Women Preach will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. "They have a different lived experience that people in the pews can really relate to in their daily life." It's also a justice issue and hurts the church's credibility. Originally launched in Advent 2016 as a project of FutureChurch, the website features 384 reflections by 232 women for Sundays and holy days of obligation — so far. More information about how to attend in person or virtually can be found asks Elizabeth Donnelly, a member of Catholic Women Preach's steering committee and its preaching coordinator. The topic was also brought up during synod listening sessions hosted by Discerning Deacons, she said. The Catholic Women Preach website is seen in a screenshot taken on Jan. Many Catholics would agree that sermons in the average parish could be improved, but length is hardly the most problematic part. (NCR screenshot)

Most notably, he called laws criminalizing homosexuality fundamentally unjust and said being homosexual is not a crime. Paul Elie of the Berkley Center for ...

But I would say that the criticism that's coming at Pope Francis from traditionalists is more deeply rooted than that. And one of the most difficult challenges that he's faced in doing this has to do with homosexuality. How is the pope distinguishing between the two? For more, we're joined by Paul Elie, senior fellow with the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University. It is not a crime, but it is a sin. Paul Elie of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the pope's interview.

And God loves us as we are, as he asked Catholic bishops to welcome LGBTQ people into the church. Joining us on Skype now to discuss is Father James Martin.

But really, when it comes to decision-makers and people who set policy for the Catholic Church - that is the bishops and bishops conferences - they're going to have to pay attention to this. And he attributed the support of bishops to these laws to the cultural background. So I think the bishops in these countries are going to have to do some soul-searching as a result of this interview today. MARTIN: Well, I think it's going to change - I would hope it would change what some people think, you know, on the ground, in the pews. FADEL: Now, you mentioned - we talked about the church's stance. And really, you know, what might seem bland to us in the West, as you point out, in places like sub-Saharan Africa or Eastern Europe are really going to be challenging. MARTIN: Well, I think, first of all, it's important to say that when he was saying being homosexual is a sin, he was kind of repeating what others might say in Catholic teaching. So how does he and the Catholic Church distinguish between sin and public policy or laws? FADEL: Now, the pope attributed - he said that the church needs to work to end these types of laws. His LGBT ministry is the subject of his book, "Building A Bridge." And he told the AP in these words, we are all children of God. And God loves us as we are, as he asked Catholic bishops to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

The pontiff has been called a Marxist and a reactionary, but his leadership is more enigmatic.

Whether the enigma that is Francis will be resolved remains to be seen. Against modern moralism, the pontiff views participation in the Eucharist not as a matter of absolute rules, but rather as a rite open to the baptised and the penitent. Francis’s faithfulness to the living tradition is most clearly visible in relation to Catholic social thought, where he builds on the intellectual legacy of his predecessors to promote “common good” thinking. The interview with AP only makes clear his determination not to give up and resign. From the outset of his pontificate, Francis rejected being pigeonholed in ideological categories that are more secular than religious. Yet liberal commentators accuse him of not going far enough in the fight against conservatives, who reduce religion to a single world-view.

Pope Francis says the same in Gaudete et Exsultate: “To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think ...

So let’s begin this wonderful adventure of love by responding to Christ’s love for us, “uniting ourselves to the Lord’s death and resurrection in a unique and personal way… The contemplation of these mysteries, as Saint Ignatius of Loyola pointed out, leads us to incarnate them in our choices and attitudes” (ibid. Here is an example: a woman goes shopping, she meets a neighbor and they begin to speak, and the gossip starts. Later, at home, one of her children wants to talk to her about his hopes and dreams, and even though she is tired, she sits down and listens with patience and love. Be holy by laboring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves.

Pope Francis has said that the Catholic church must work to put an end to what he calls "unjust" laws that criminalize homosexuality, which are common in ...

POGGIOLI: And in the last 10 years, he has ministered publicly to the gay and transgender communities. He told the interviewer the church should work to put an end to anti-LGBTQ legislation, stressing it must do this. SYLVIA POGGIOLI, BYLINE: In a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis quoted from the catechism of the Catholic Church, saying gay people must be welcomed and respected and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.

In comments Catholic LGBTQ advocates described as “historic,” Pope Francis called for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality—making him the first ...

Deflating Gänswein’s narrative of tension between Benedict and Francis, the pope described his predecessor as “a good companion.” “In the face of a doubt, I would ask for the car and go to the monastery and ask,” he said. “You prefer that they don’t criticize, for the sake of tranquility,” he said. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is specifically “homosexual acts” that are “intrinsically disordered”; gay Catholics are “called to chastity.” “These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” he said. “They started to see my flaws and didn’t like them.” Francis’ papacy will mark a decade in March. “He was a great guy. However, given that few, if any, LGBTQ advocates appear to have focused on this particular phrasing from Francis, it seems that most observers have assumed that Francis is conflating homosexuality and “acting on homosexuality,” or otherwise not dwelling on the distinction. He famously said of gay priests, “ [Who am I to judge](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2013/07/pope-francis-on-gay-prists-who-am-i-to-judge.html)?” [a number](https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-ap-interview-highlights-8b9ec42afec4e0c0691a54f756b257bc) of other hot-button issues in the church, including rumors about Francis’s health. Either way, Francis is not changing anything about the church’s stance, which he has long affirmed. “It’s not a crime. But in making comments about laws, Francis is speaking to some of his own bishops.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis has criticized laws criminalizing LGBTQ people, in remarks hailed by rights groups as “historic.” Speaking to the Associated ...

Meanwhile, a Russian court ordered the country’s oldest human rights organization, the Moscow Helsinki Group, to be closed down. President Joe Biden: “Putin expected Europe and the United States to weaken our resolve. Ukraine’s military has retreated from the eastern town of Soledar as Russian forces attempt to encircle the nearby city of Bakhmut.

The pope and Cardinal McElroy both made statements this week on L.G.B.T. issues, which have until recently not been discussed by church officials.

Taken alone, the pope’s comments calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality, along with the exhortation for Catholics to fight such laws, perhaps do not feel all that revolutionary, especially when read from a Western context. The pope’s willingness to speak thoughtfully about topics until very recently considered taboo in the church has given bishops the freedom to explore these topics even further. “It is a demonic mystery of the human soul why so many men and women have a profound and visceral animus toward members of the L.G.B.T. “The distinction between orientation and activity cannot be the principal focus for such a pastoral embrace because it inevitably suggests dividing the L.G.B.T. Houdart took issue with the language about sin, saying that the pope’s comments were “not a panacea.”) Bishops should seek to lead with “tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us.” At the same time, he has defended traditional church teaching on the subject, reminding Catholics that the church considers homosexual acts a sin and that marriage is reserved for one man and one woman. “This call for decriminalization will help save lives and promote respect for LGBTQ+ people, particularly in areas where law or social norms make them victims of fear, hatred, violence, and death,” Francis DeBernardo, the head of New Ways Ministry, said in a statement. “Overall, though, despite pleas from LGBTQ people suffering persecution, few bishops or bishops’ conferences have condemned the criminalizing laws that the pope rejected today, even though this is, after all, a life issue,” Father Martin wrote. He famously asked, “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gay priests in 2013, a phrase he referenced in this week’s interview, acknowledging that his assertion “bothered” some people. At the same time, some Catholics expressed hope that the pope’s early words of qualified support for L.G.B.T. 5, 2022, as justices hear arguments in the case of a Colorado website designer who refuses to create websites for same-sex marriages due to her Christian beliefs about traditional marriage.

VATICAN CITY—In a progressive step forward for the Catholic Church, Pope Francis declared Thursday that there was nothing wrong with a guy giving his buddy ...

Just say a Hail Mary afterward and you’re good to go.” At press time, Francis added that Catholics could choose not to oblige a buddy, but they should understand that doing so would seriously leave their friend in the lurch. “We are all children of God, and sometimes those children start feeling lonely after happy hour and one thing leads to another,” said Francis, whose remarks about any sexual acts that might theoretically occur in a pickup truck outside Ruby Tuesday were hailed by LGBTQ groups as “confusing but encouraging.” “It’s not a crime if you’re both a bit tipsy and your friend unzips his pants. VATICAN CITY—In a progressive step forward for the Catholic Church, Pope Francis declared Thursday that there was nothing wrong with a guy giving his buddy a tug job after a few drinks.

Pope Francis recently called for the decriminalization of homosexuality around the world, saying the Catholic Church should work to put an end to anti-LGBTQ ...

"Being compassionate, sensitive, and merciful, while staying faithful to moral teachings of the Christian faith are not mutually exclusive. Those experiencing same sex attraction deserve to participate in parish life and ministry, while receiving pastoral support in the form of spiritual guidance, community prayer support, fellowship and the assistance of God’s grace. What could that mean for the Catholic Church's relationship with the LGBTQ community?