Pope Francis Says Homosexuality Is “A Sin” But “Not A Crime”

 

Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church, the bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State

said" homosexuality is “a sin” but “not a crime”

“It’s not a crime. Yes … it’s a sin. Fine, but first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime,” the 86-year-old pontiff said of Catholic teaching that holds that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered.”

“It’s also a sin to lack charity with one another,” he stressed.

Some 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which works to end such laws.

He quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church in saying gay people must be welcomed and respected, and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.

“We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are and for the strength that each of us fights for our dignity,”