Pope Francis criticizes the "unjust" laws that criminalize homosexuality and invites Catholic bishops to welcome LGBTQ people into the Church.
“Being homosexual – he said – is not a crime. Yes, it's a sin, all right, but let's distinguish between sin and crime. And let us remember that it is also a sin to lack charity towards one another ". Gays, he added, quoting the catechism of the Catholic Church, " must be welcomed and respected, not discriminated against and marginalized ".
The Pontiff's statements came during an interview with the Associated Press: "We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are and for the strength that each of us fights for our dignity", he highlighted, for then admit that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws criminalizing homosexuality. «These bishops must have a process of conversion and apply tenderness» .
It is certainly not Bergoglio's first openness to the LGBT world, who in the first interview since the death of Benedict XVI also spoke of his health conditions: «I'm fine, for my age I'm normal. The knee fracture healed without surgery.
(Unioneonline/L)