Pope Francis says laws that criminalize homosexuality are 'unjust'

(25 Jan 2023)

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER:4416390

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vatican City - 19 October 2022
1. Pope Francis touring St. Peter's Square in vehicle
HEADLINE: POPE FRANCIS: HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT A CRIME
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vatican City - 24 January 2023
2. Various of Pope sitting down for an interview with The Associated Press
ANNOTATION: In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Pope Francis said laws that criminalize homosexuality are wrong.
3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pope Francis:
"We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are and for the strength that each one of us has to fight for our dignity. Being homosexual is not a crime. It's not a crime. 'Yes, but it's a sin.' Well, yes, but let's make the distinction first between sin and crime. But it's also a sin to lack charity with one another, so what about that?"
++WHITE FLASH++
4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pope Francis:
"Every man and every woman must have a window in their life where they can turn their hope and where they can see the dignity of God. And being homosexual isn't a crime, it's a human condition."
5. Various of Francis during interview
ANNOTATION: Francis acknowledged that some Catholic bishops still support laws that criminalized homosexuality or discriminated against the LGBTQ community.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vatican City - 12 January 2023
6. Wide of St. Peter's Square
7. Close of dome
ANNOTATION: But, he attributed attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops need to undergo a process of change to recognize the dignity of everyone.
STORYLINE:
Pope Francis has criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as "unjust," and said God loves all his children, just as they are.
"Being homosexual isn't a crime," Francis said during an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.
Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world still supported laws that criminalized homosexuality or discriminated against the LGBTQ community.
But, he attributed attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops in particular needed to undergo a process of change to recognize the dignity of everyone.
Francis cited data, by the The Human Dignity Trust, that more than 50 countries or jurisdictions around the world criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 10 of which by imposing the death penalty.
According to experts, even in countries where such laws are not enforced, there is harassment, stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ persons.
In the U.S., more than a dozen states still have anti-sodomy laws on the books, despite a 2003 Supreme Court ruling they are unconstitutional.
Gay rights advocates say the antiquated laws are used to harass LGBTQ members, and point to new legislation such as the "Don't say gay" law in Florida, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as evidence of continued efforts to marginalize them.
The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to laws criminalizing homosexuality, saying they violate rights to privacy and freedom from discrimination and are a breach of countries' obligations under international law to protect the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Declaring such laws "unjust," Francis said the Catholic Church can and should work to put an end to them. "It must do this. It must do this," he said.
Francis quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church in saying gays must be welcomed and respected, and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.
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AP video shot by Luigi Navarra

[theowalcott]

And after this Christians Will still follow you as so called holy man, Indeed it is not the eyes that are blind, but it is the hearts in the chests that grow blind.

[ellasfella]

anyone who knows the BIBLE knows the Roman Catholic church is not the church of god i am a Christian i was baptize catholic as an infant after reading the BIBLE at 13 i never followed the catholic religion So before any of you start Go and actually read the BIBLE then you will understand why Poke Francis is saying what he is saying know the history and the facts before you start your stupid attacks. everyone stay safe and God bless

[SA-pbnb]

Its not allowed to criminalize anyone but the christian god clearly said its a sin to be gay or lesbian. Maybe he has the wrong religion and creates his own.

Romans 1:26-28
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

3 Mose, 20:13
If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

[weld_baby]

2 Corinthians 11:13
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. 15 It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works

[mysticcity]

you can be you, there is no sin, accept yourself, love yourself and you will love the world

[jibz_]

All of you, who condemn the Pope, must try ponder over what he said.There is discrimination between sin and crime.Every sin is not crime.Homosexuality is of course a sin but no crime.
Law of religion and Law of the State are different.After all Jesus said that he had come for sinners.Everyone commits sin, dude

[IAMDC]

Isaiah 14:12

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”

[danielwarrior]

The homophobes in the comments are making me laugh so hard, I refuse to believe yall can be more of a bunch of hypocrites than you are, in the bible, god says: "Love your neighbour as I have loved you" but you draw the line and make exceptions to what god said because of gay marriage? If anyones a fake christian its you idiots thinking you know more about the bible and religion than the pope, humble yourselves, this man is the head of the church of Christ, the current messager of God, the irony that a bunch of nobodies in this comment section is trying to call out THE POPE is insane

[McD-jr]

I thought that the Pope should represent Christ not his own Papacy.

[lolwildriftplayer]

He literally shanged the word of the god he worship what right dos he have to change that he is not a prophet and god cant be wrong because if he is wrong then he is not perfect and god cant be a lesser being he is a perfect being

[segur]

Not addressing its a seducing wicked spirit or a ghost that's within them. Why? Cuz Satan hates God and will do anything within his power to get back at him. It's that simple. Lol

[HJH]

God is the supreme judge, not the Pope or the Catholic Church. If homosexuality is a punishable act in the eyes of God, then it is a crime. The Pope's or any other person's opinion does not help the matter, God cannot be bargained with and cannot be bribed. If the Pope approves an act against God, he is also a criminal and under judgment. Read more of God's word and the answer will come from there.