Pope Francis recently spoke with the Associated Press and said that homosexuality is “not a crime.”
He made it clear that there is a difference between a sin and a crime. The Church has previously condemned the unjust discrimination of those with same-sex attraction, but it also teaches that same-sex attraction is “intrinsically disordered.”
During the interview, Pope Francis also touched on laws that criminalize homosexuality and said that they are “unjust.” He emphasized that the Church must work to put an end to such laws. He also said that bishops who support laws that criminalize homosexuality should go through a “process of conversion” and apply “tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us.”
Pope Francis also explained that attitudes towards homosexuality can be attributed to cultural backgrounds, and that bishops in particular need to recognize the dignity of everyone.
He said, “Every man and every woman must have a window in their lives where they can pour out their hope and where they can see the dignity of God. And being homosexual is not a crime. It is a human condition.”
He also said that preaching about God’s mercy, as shown in the ending of the pop opera “The Prodigal Son,” would be better for society instead of discussing other non-essential topics.
“If we preached more about that and not about nonsense, we would be better off.”
It’s important to note that the Catholic Church does not teach that having same-sex attraction is a sin.
However, it does teach that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered” and “under no circumstances can they be approved.”
In 2021, the Vatican’s doctrinal office issued a clarification approved by Pope Francis that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions because “God cannot bless sin.”
