Pope Francis first pope to Support Same-Sex Civil Unions

Pope Francis became the first pontiff to endorse same-sex civil unions on Wednesday, at the Rome Film Festival.

Speaking in a film documentary, the pope called for the creation of such laws.

He said that “Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God”.

Meanwhile, Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit who has sought to build bridges with gay catholics, praised the pope’s comments as “a major step forward in the church’s support for LGBT people”.

A 2003 document from the Vatican’s office stated that the church’s respect for gays “cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.”

While serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages. However, he had never come out publicly in favour of civil unions as pope.

Many commentators sought to play down Francis' words and said that while secular civil unions are one thing, a church blessing of them is quite another.

Words by Donna Buñao

Photo from America Magazine