Pope Francis says homosexuality "is not a crime," but gay sex is "a sin" - CBS News

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Pope Francis: Homosexuality "isn't a crime"

Pope Francis: Homosexuality "isn't a crime" 00:30

Rome — Pope Francis has called laws criminalizing homosexuality arsenic fundamentally "unfair," making it wide that successful the caput of the person of the Catholic Church, "being homosexual is not a crime."

The pontiff addressed favoritism against the LGBTQ community, his ain wellness and aboriginal plans, and the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, among different things, successful a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press published Wednesday.

Vatican The Ap Interview Pope Francis Takeaways

"We are each children of God, and God loves america arsenic we are," helium told AP newsman Nicole Winfield astatine his Vatican residence.

Francis reiterated, however, religion teaching that engaging successful homosexual enactment is sinful.

"It's a sin," Francis said, adding: "Let's marque the favoritism archetypal betwixt misdeed and crime."

Intrigue implicit Pope Francis' remarks connected same-sex civilian unions

Significantly, the pope clarified that discriminating against others was besides sinful, saying: "It's besides a misdeed to deficiency foundation with 1 another, truthful what astir that?"

Pope signals enactment for same-sex unions successful departure from Catholic Church stance connected cheery rights 02:46

Catholic Church teaching says that cheery radical indispensable beryllium welcomed into the religion and treated with respect and kindness, contempt the information that homosexual acts are considered "intrinsically disordered."

Francis has not changed this teaching, and successful 2021 the Vatican doctrinal bureau decreed that the religion could not bless same-sex unions due to the fact that "God cannot bless sin."

However, Pope Francis has repeatedly championed homosexual rights and advocated for inclusion of LGBTQ radical successful Catholic life.

Francis said the religion "must" enactment to get unjust laws abolished astir the world.

Same-sex intersexual acts are considered crimes successful immoderate 67 countries, mostly successful Africa and the Middle East, according to the Human Dignity Trust organization. In 11 of those countries, punishment tin see the decease penalty.

More than a twelve U.S. states inactive person laws against sodomy, contempt the Supreme Court declaring them unconstitutional successful 2003.

The pope said that immoderate bishops from countries that criminalize homosexuality enactment the laws due to the fact that they're portion of the section culture, and helium called connected those bishops to acquisition a process of "conversion," successful bid to invited LGBQT radical into their ministry "with tenderness."

Supreme Court weighs LGBTQ favoritism case 04:39

The pope besides blasted a question successful Germany called the "Synodal Path," successful which bishops and laic radical are examining the anticipation of arguable religion reforms specified arsenic allowing priests to marry, and permitting pistillate deacons and religion blessings for aforesaid enactment couples.

While Francis didn't specifically code the issues nether discussion, helium discredited the process arsenic neither superior nor helpful, and said it was being led by an "elite" and did not correspond "all the radical of God."

Earlier this week, the Vatican changeable down a connection by German bishops to found a caller governing assemblage for the German church, which would beryllium composed of some bishops and laypeople.

Francis, 86, besides addressed questions astir his health, revealing that the diverticulitis that necessitated an cognition successful 2021 had returned. He said the tiny genu fracture that forced him to cancel trips and usage a wheelchair had healed without surgery, crediting laser and magnetic therapy.

Pope Francis says helium indispensable lessen question oregon perchance retire 02:35

"I'm already walking, I'm helping myself with the stroller, but I'm walking," helium said. "I'm successful bully health. For my age, I'm normal."

Since the death of retired Pope Benedict XII earlier this year, rumors person intensified that Francis mightiness determine to retire. But helium told the AP that helium plans to proceed for arsenic agelong arsenic helium can.

He reiterated that should helium retire, helium would similar to unrecorded successful a residence for retired priests successful Rome and beryllium known arsenic the Bishop Emeritus of Rome.

"Benedict's acquisition has opened the doorway for the caller popes who resign to insert themselves (in society) successful a freer way," helium said.

Funeral work held for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 04:35

Francis said with Benedict's death, helium mislaid a begetter fig and a confidant.

"For me, helium was a security. In the look of a doubt, I would inquire for the car and spell to the monastery" wherever Benedict lived to question counsel. "I mislaid a bully companion."