Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
ROME—In what has already started to ruffle feathers in the conservative reaches of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has made the most decisive comments on homosexuality in his 10-year pontificate. “Being homosexual is not a crime,” he told the Associated Press in an interview in Rome. “It’s not a crime. Yes, but it’s a sin. Fine, but first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime. It’s also a sin to lack charity with one another.”
He went on to criticize the 67 countries that criminalize homosexuality, calling them “unjust” and calling on bishops in those countries who support such legislation to undergo “a process of change” to recognize the dignity of everyone. “These bishops have to have a process of conversion.”
The comments, made in Spanish, will undoubtedly revive criticism about Francis’ seemingly “liberal” stance on homosexuality, which many argue is not in line with Catholic dogma that calls homosexuality “intrinsically disordered.” He repeated his oft-said comments about welcoming gays into the Catholic church. “We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are and for the strength that each of us fights for our dignity.”