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Pope Francis

Read the latest news about Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Find out updates about Pope Francis, who was named 'Person of the Year' by The Advocate for his increadingly tolerant position on gays and lesbians. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the spiritual leader of over 1 billion people takes his namesake from Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most celebrated figures in religious history. He is the first non-European pope in over a thousand years. Discover more about the man who said 'Who am I to judge?'

Pope Francis unsure
News

Pope Francis uses homophobic slur about gay priests — again

Sources present at a closed-door meeting said the pope used the slur during a discussion in which he warned against admitting gay men into the priesthood.

Pope Francis and Catholic Priests
Religion

Vatican Reviews Policies on LGBTQ+ Parishioners, Women in Leadership

It's the latest example of the Catholic Church responding to criticisms over certain issues.

Francis
Religion

Pope Accepts Resignation From Bishop Who Masturbated on Video Call

Bishop Tome Ferreira da Silva gave Pope Francis his resignation after images circulated online of the bishop seminude during a video call with another man.

Juan Carlos Cruz
Religion

Pope Names Gay Survivor to Commission Fighting Clergy Sex Abuse

Chilean whistleblower Juan Carlos Cruz had met in 2018 with Pope Francis, who assured him that God loves him as he is.

Billy Eichner and Dan Levy
People

Billy Eichner 'Proposes' to Dan Levy 'Just to Make the Pope Angry'

Two of Hollywood's leading gay actors spoke out against the Catholic Church's stance on same-sex unions Monday.

Rubera and De Gregorio and children
Religion

Pope Francis Offers Advice to Gay Couple

Andrea Rubera and Dario De Gregorio say the pope assured them their kids could be brought up in the Catholic faith without facing prejudice.

Pope Francis
News

Pope Francis dead at 88: Looking back on his LGBTQ+ rights legacy

In recent years, Pope Francis suffered various health issues and was recently discharged from the hospital. He leaves behind a complicated legacy regarding LGBTQ+ rights in the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis apologizes for using homophobic slur during debate about gay priests
Religion

Pope Francis apologizes for using homophobic slur during debate about gay priests

The Pope is apologizing for invoking a vulgar Italian term about gay men in a recent closed-door debate about LGBTQ+ priests.

Pope Francis
Religion

Pope Francis to LGBTQ+ Catholics: God Does Not Disown You

The pope commented on LGBTQ+ people and the church in response to a letter from Father James Martin, an LGBTQ-supportive priest.

Person sitting on church pew
Religion

Catholic Diocese Says LGBTQ+ People Are Not Allowed Sacraments

They can only be baptized, confirmed, or receive communion if they have "repented."

daniel franzese
Religion

Daniel Franzese Says Catholic School Fired Him for Being Gay

The star of Mean Girls and Looking lost a hosting gig at a Catholic university one day after Pope Francis condemned same-sex unions.

Pope Francis
Religion

Catholic Church 'Cannot Bless Sin,' Pope Says of Same-Sex Unions

A document issued Monday with Pope Francis's blessing unequivocally reaffirms the church's opposition to such relationships.

pope
Religion

How Big a Deal Is the Pope's Civil Unions Comment?

His words in a new documentary are apparently recycled from another interview -- and don't signal a change in church doctrine.

priest holding rainbow flag
Comedy

Vatican gay sex hits rock bottom, and the Internet responds

Is this why young people are leaving the church?

Pope Francis
Religion

LGBTQ+ Catholics ask Pope Francis to reconsider church opposition to gender-affirming care

A group of LGBTQ+ Catholics and their allies held a private meeting with the pope over the weekend in which they urged him to reverse the church's stance on transgender health care.

Pope Francis reading at a microphone
Religion

Pope Francis Says Being Gay Isn’t a Crime

He still refers to homosexuality as a “sin” though.

Pope Francis
Religion

Pope Francis Tells Parents to Support Their Queer Children

"Never condemn them," he told his weekly audience.

True
Pope Francis
Voices

On LGBTQ+ Rights, Ghana’s Bishops Choose to Ignore Pope

As the Catholic Church continues to make more inclusive comments about LGBTQ+ rights, the Church's leadership in Ghana supports a violent and repressive draft law targeting LGBTQ+ people.

Priest
Religion

German Priests, Defying Pope, Offer to Bless Same-Sex Unions

Numerous churches around the nation will hold blessing services in the next few days.

Elton John
film

Elton John Slams 'Hypocrisy' of Vatican, Which Invested in 'Rocketman'

The Catholic Church, which "cannot bless sin" of same-sex unions, directed funds from the faithful toward the gay biopic.