Pope Francis has criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality, saying God loves all his children as they are and calling on Catholic bishops to welcome LGBTQ+ people into the church.
"Being gay is not a crime," Pope Francis said in an interview.
The comments, consistent with his general approach to LGBTQ+ people, were hailed by gay rights advocates as a historic moment because they are the first by a pope on such laws.
About 67 countries or jurisdictions around the world criminalize sexual activity between same-sex partners, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which works to end such laws.
Declaring these laws as "unjust", the Pope said the Catholic Church can and should work to end them. "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," he added.
The Pope said that there should be a difference between sin and crime. The Church says that homosexual acts are a sin, but that homosexuals should be treated with dignity and respect.
"It is not a crime. Yes, but it is a sin. Okay, but first let's distinguish between a sin and a crime. It is also a sin to lack love for one another,” he added.
The Pope's comments were not specifically directed at transgender or non-binary people, only homosexuals. Although the Pope speaks of sin, LGBTQ+ supporters hailed his comments as significant progress.
