The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has stated that homosexuality is not a crime.
25/01/2023
Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, has described laws criminalizing homosexuality as "unjust" and reiterated the Church's opposition to discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press published on Wednesday, January 25, Pope Francis stressed that "homosexuality is not a crime" and added, "God loves all his children as they are."
The Pope also urged Catholic bishops who adhere to criminalizing laws to welcome LGBTQ+ individuals in churches. He pointed out that some bishops support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community, labeling these laws as "unjust" and emphasizing that "the Catholic Church is capable of changing these laws and must work towards this."
Despite considering homosexuality a "sin," Pope Francis viewed the criminalization of homosexuality as stemming from differing cultural backgrounds. He underscored that bishops should embrace a change in perspective to ensure the dignity and respect of all individuals. He also highlighted the importance of kindness and love in interactions with people, as God's love encompasses everyone.
The Pope's recent statements, especially his criticism of criminalizing laws against homosexuality, have been welcomed by LGBTQ+ rights advocates. This is the first time a Pope has explicitly criticized such laws.
Ahead of Pope Francis's trip to Africa, where similar laws are in effect, the Associated Press reported that approximately 67 countries worldwide criminalize homosexuality, with 11 of these nations imposing the death penalty for such actions. Even in countries where these laws are not enforced, LGBTQ+ individuals face harassment and violence.
In the United States, despite a 2003 Supreme Court ruling declaring such laws unconstitutional, more than 12 states still have anti-LGBTQ+ laws on the books. The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to these laws, stating that they violate privacy rights, freedom, and non-discrimination and are inconsistent with countries' international human rights obligations.