The church is at the center of a new controversy.

Early last week, Pope Francis gave an interview to the Associated Press (AP), the American news agency.

From this interview emerge the words of the pontiff which made the headlines in the media.

"Pope Francis affirms that homosexuality is 'not a crime' but a 'sin'", headlined BFMTV.

For its part, Europe 1 takes up the formula by writing: “Homosexuality is a “sin” but is not a “crime” according to Pope Francis.

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If the Church, and more particularly the Vatican, has always held a very clear position on the subject of homosexuality, these remarks are shocking.

Pope Francis was one of the most tolerant on the subject.

A year ago, he called "parents of gay children should not condemn them but offer them support".

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In this famous interview with the AP, Pope Francis was asked about the criminalization of homosexuality and the discrimination of the LGBT+ community.

The journalist, Nicole Winfield thus questioned: “What is the position of the Church?

What should she do, since there are bishops who support these laws?

An open response from the pontiff: “In the catechism of the Catholic Church, it is said that people with homosexual tendencies must be welcomed, and not marginalized, accompanied if they are given a place.

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And to continue: “We are all children of God and God wants us as we are and with the strength that we each have to fight for our dignity.

Being gay is not a crime.

It's not a crime.

Yes, but it is a sin.

Well, let's start by distinguishing sin from crime.

But the lack of charity towards your neighbor is also a sin.

And how are you doing?

In other words, let's distinguish this.

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Pope Francis also affirms that a "family that has a son or a daughter with a homosexual tendency must not chase him away, it must create a family framework so that he can live in peace".

The journalist then mentioned the countries in which homosexuality is still a crime by questioning the role of the church in the repeal of these homophobic laws.

“Yes, yes, they have to.

What happens is that these are cultures, […] and the bishops of this place – although they are good bishops – are part of these cultures.

[…] The bishop also has a process of conversion,” he replies.

A pope more open than his predecessors

The pope took the opportunity to recall that as soon as he was elected, he was more open than his predecessors by talking about his trip to Brazil.

During this one he had affirmed: “If there is a person who seeks God and who is sincere, who am I to judge him?

A position that drew violent criticism from religious rights.

Finally, the pope does not display his support for homosexual marriages, but does not demonize it either.

He is content to base himself on Christian tolerance: the fact that one should not judge anyone and be kind to everyone.

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And although this may seem like a (non)archaic position still in 2023, for the pontificate it is indeed progress.

Alleluia.

Because as explained in the catechism books of the Catholic Church: “Relying on Sacred Scripture which presents them as serious depravities, Tradition has always declared that acts of homosexuality are intrinsically disordered.

They are contrary to natural law.

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Following this controversy, the pope clarified his remarks: "When I said it was a sin, I was simply referring to Catholic moral teaching, which says that any sexual act outside of marriage is a Fishing.

In conclusion: “And I would say to those who want to criminalize homosexuality that they are wrong.

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