Pope Francis Backs Civil Unions For Same-Sex Couples

The Catholic News Agency reports:

In a documentary that premiered Wednesday in Rome, Pope Francis called for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples, departing from the position of the Vatican’s doctrinal office and the pope’s predecessors on the issue.

“Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” Pope Francis said in the film, of his approach to pastoral care.

After those remarks, and in comments likely to spark controversy among Catholics, Pope Francis weighed in directly on the issue of civil unions for same-sex couples. “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered,” the pope said. “I stood up for that.”

In a documentary that premiered Wednesday in Rome, Pope Francis called for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples. https://t.co/e9VObaZ1BP

— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) October 21, 2020

Pope Francis calls for civil union laws for same-sex couples https://t.co/Gv7KDM1fqP

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 21, 2020