In a change from centuries of Vatican policy, Pope Francis has said that he supports civil union laws for same-sex couples.
The pope, who has become known for his socially liberal ideology, said in a recent documentary, “Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” according to the Catholic News Agency.
He added, “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that.” The documentary is titled “Francesco” and will be released in the United States on Sunday.
Pope Francis has butted heads with President Donald Trump on occasion. The pope questioned Trump’s faith, previously saying, “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.”
I invite you not to build walls but bridges, to conquer evil with good, offence with forgiveness, to live in peace with everyone.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 18, 2017
Trump later called the pope’s remarks “disgraceful” and said that the Mexican government is “using the pope as a pawn.”
The pope has warned against the rise of nationalism, which has broken out in pockets around the world over the past decade. He recently suggested that it might be time for a universal basic income, citing the hardships of workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The pope has also urged the world to act with urgency in seriousness in the battle against climate change. He said in a recent speech, “Science tells us, every day with more precision, that it is necessary to act with urgency — I am not exaggerating, science tell us this — if we want to have the hope of avoiding radical changes in the climate and catastrophes.”
The Vatican recently condemned lawmakers supporting legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia.