Pope Francis makes some <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Freligion.blogs.cnn.com%2F2013%2F07%2F29%2Fpope-francis-on-gays-who-am-i-to-judge%2F">unexpected comments on issues facing the Roman Catholic Church</a> on Monday, July 29. He spoke on the record to journalists on a flight back back to Italy from Brazil after finishing his first international trip as pontiff. Among the topics he addressed were homosexuality, the church's alleged "gay lobby," the role of women, abortion, divorce and the Vatican Bank.
Pope Francis on hot-button issues —
Pope Francis makes some unexpected comments on issues facing the Roman Catholic Church on Monday, July 29. He spoke on the record to journalists on a flight back back to Italy from Brazil after finishing his first international trip as pontiff. Among the topics he addressed were homosexuality, the church's alleged "gay lobby," the role of women, abortion, divorce and the Vatican Bank.
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On the flight, Francis said he will not "judge" gay priests, a huge shift from his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who sought to bar men with "homosexual tendencies." "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" Francis said.
Pope Francis on hot-button issues —
On the flight, Francis said he will not "judge" gay priests, a huge shift from his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who sought to bar men with "homosexual tendencies." "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" Francis said.
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A journalist takes a picture of Pope Francis during the press conference on the flight back to Italy. The pope said the role of women in the church should be deeper, but he brushed aside the possibility of women being ordained as priests. "The church says no. That door is closed."
Pope Francis on hot-button issues —
A journalist takes a picture of Pope Francis during the press conference on the flight back to Italy. The pope said the role of women in the church should be deeper, but he brushed aside the possibility of women being ordained as priests. "The church says no. That door is closed."
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Francis said he had nothing to say about abortion while in Brazil because church teachings against it were clear and his trip was the time for "positive" news.<br />
Pope Francis on hot-button issues —
Francis said he had nothing to say about abortion while in Brazil because church teachings against it were clear and his trip was the time for "positive" news.
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Pope Francis sits inside the plane at a Rio de Janeiro air base Sunday, July 28, before departing for Rome. On the trip back, the pope said cardinals were exploring the question of whether divorced people can receive communion, which they are currently banned from doing. He also said he was unsure what to do with the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2013%2F07%2F12%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Fvatican-bank-scandal%2Findex.html">Vatican Bank, which has faced corruption</a> allegations recently.
Pope Francis on hot-button issues —
Pope Francis sits inside the plane at a Rio de Janeiro air base Sunday, July 28, before departing for Rome. On the trip back, the pope said cardinals were exploring the question of whether divorced people can receive communion, which they are currently banned from doing. He also said he was unsure what to do with the Vatican Bank, which has faced corruption allegations recently.
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