close the sexual act to the gift of life." While the Pope's welcoming tone of acceptance is a step in the right direction, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 3, the "homosexual acts" in Catechism expressed by our LGBTQ children continue to be characterized as "intrinsically disordered. "We come across this reality all the time in the confessional: a father and a mother whose son or daughter is in that situation." That's the message Pope Francis has for parents of LGBTQ children, in an interview with La Nacion, a leading conservative newspaper in Argentina. "We have to find a way to help that father or that mother to stand by their son or daughter." "I ask you to pray fervently for this intention," the Pope continued, "so that Christ can take even what might seem to us impure, scnadalous or threatening, and turn it. The bishops will "consider concrete solutions," Francis said, "to the many difficult and significant challenges facing families in our time." 2 The Catholic leaders are expected to discuss changes to several controversial areas of church teaching, including divorce and homosexuality. Families today need miracles!"Ĭontext: In his homily, or sermon, the Pope referred to a highly anticipated meeting of bishops to be held in Rome this October. "I ask you to pray fervently for this intention," the Pope continued, "so that Christ can take even what might seem to us impure, scandalous or threatening, and turn it. Pope Francis' willingness to include gay, trans and HIV+ prisoners in his luncheon and to allow an LGBTQ advocacy group on the parade route, but not mentioning either of them in his talks, shows the complicated approach he is taking to LGBTQ issues.
Pope Francis joined 90 prison inmates for lunch during his visit to Naples, including 10 from the ward which houses those who are gay, transgender, or have HIV/AIDS.
"Sometimes it happens that you feel disappointed, discouraged, abandoned by all: but God does not forget his children, he never abandons them! He is always at our side, especially in trying times." But more importantly, his comment set the tone and approach to talking about LGBTQ issues outside of the liberal-conservative axis. The fact that Pope Francis made such a comment – and used the word "gay" in English – was radical, and helped propel significant conversations in parishes and dioceses on LGBTQ equality to this day. When asked about gay priests during a spontaneous exchange with the press, he responded, "If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn't be marginalized. Let's start off with one of the most decisive moments in Francis' papacy for LGBTQ people. "If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?" So where does Pope Francis stand on LGBTQ people? "But anyone who utters Christian words without putting them into practice hurts oneself and others," said Pope Francis in 2013. Francis' tenure as pope has also been notable by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community for his adoption of a more conciliatory tone toward LGBTQ people than that of his predecessors.