Pope Francis Says Catholic Church Open To LGBT People But 'There Are Laws': Here's Full Statement

Pope Francis said that the Catholic Church is open to everyone, including the gay community, stating that it has a responsibility to accompany them on their spiritual journey while adhering to the framework of Church rules on August 6th.

Francis, speaking to reporters on the plane returning to Rome from Portugal, also said his health was good following surgery for an abdominal hernia in June.

Vatican City King Pope | Reuters

Is the church open to "everyone, everyone, everyone"?

One reporter questioned that he said the Church was open to "everyone, everyone, everyone" and asked if it was not incoherent that some, such as women and homosexuals, did not have the same rights and could not receive some sacraments.

This was an apparent reference to women not being allowed to become priests through the sacrament of Holy Orders and same-sex couples not allowed to contract marriage, which is also a sacrament.

Pope Francis' response

Pope Francis responded that the Church welcomes all but operates according to established laws. "The Church is open to everyone but there are laws that regulate life inside the church," Pope Francis said, as reported by Reuters.

As per these laws, certain sacraments are not accessible to certain individuals. However, he emphasised that this doesn't imply exclusion, as each person can experience their connection with God within the Church in their own way.

Regarding the issue of women not being allowed to become priests through the sacrament of Holy Orders and the Church's stance on same-sex marriage, the Pope reiterated that while these are not permitted by Church law, the ministers must accompany all individuals, even those who do not conform to the rules, with the love and patience of a mother.

Reuters

The Church teaches that women cannot become priests because Jesus chose only men as his apostles. The Church does not allow same-sex marriage or even blessings for same-sex couples, but Francis supports civil legislation that gives same-sex couples rights in areas such as pensions, health insurance and inheritance.

It teaches that same-sex attraction is not sinful but homosexual acts are.

Pope working towards making the Church more inclusive and accepting

Since the start of his papacy, Francis has been trying to make the Church more welcoming and less condemning, including to members of the LGBT community, but without changing teachings that urge those with same-sex attraction to be chaste.

While the Pope has initiated several reforms during his tenure, including providing more roles for women in high-ranking Vatican positions, he continues to balance appealing to liberal believers while respecting conservative beliefs within the Church.

AFP

The World Youth Day Catholic festival in Portugal left him rejuvenated, with around 1.5 million attendees at his closing Mass on Sunday, despite the sweltering heat, and he praised the orderly nature and size of the crowds.

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