Homosexuality ‘is not a crime’: Pope Francis criticizes discriminatory laws

Pope Francis has slammed laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust”, saying God loves all of his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

“Being gay is not a crime,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against LGBTQ people, and he himself referred to the issue in terms of “sin.”

He attributed such attitudes to cultural origins and said that bishops in particular must undergo a process of change to recognize the dignity of everyone.

“These bishops must have a process of conversion,” he said, adding that they should apply “tenderness.”

His comments, which have been hailed by gay rights advocates as a milestone, are the first by a pope on such laws. But they are also consistent with his holistic approach to LGBTQ people and his belief that the Catholic Church should welcome everyone and not discriminate.

According to The Human Dignity Trust, some 67 countries or jurisdictions around the world criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty.

For more, watch the Euronews report in the video above.