Silke Jasso
In the first interview since the death of former Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis decided to speak out about his own health, his critics, and the future of papacy. He also went on to criticize laws that criminalized homosexuality as unjust. Pope Francis told Associated Press that while Catholic teaching holds that homosexual acts are a sin, being homosexual is indeed not a “ crime.”
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He went on to stress the need to distinguish between both of them saying, for example, the lack of charity with one another is a sin. Francis added that the Catholic church should have worked to put an end to laws in some countries that heavily criminalize homosexuality.
“These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” he told AP, adding that they should apply “tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us.” His comments are not being praised by several gays right out of the get as a huge milestone.
Homosexuality is a ‘Sin’ But ‘Not a Crime’
Around 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalized conceptual same-size sexual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty, this according to the Human Dignity Trust. Experts stated that when laws aren’t enforced they do contribute to stigmatization, harassment, and violence against LGBTQ people. In the United States, more than a dozen states have anti-sodomy laws on the books, despite a 2003 Supreme Court ruling which declared them unconstitutional.
According to the Associated Press, “The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to laws criminalizing homosexuality outright, saying they violate rights to privacy and freedom from discrimination and are a breach of countries’ obligations under international law to protect the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Declaring these laws as “unjust,” Francis stated that the Catholic church should work to put an end to them. It must do this. it must do this” he noted.
“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,” Francis continues.
When asked about his health, Pope Francis stated “ I’m in good health for my age. I’m normal.” This after it was known that any ailment had forced the Pope to use a wheelchair in recent months. When he was asked about the wave of criticism against him from Bishops and conservative Cardinals following Benedict’s death, he went on to acknowledge the knives are out, but he appeared to be unbothered. He went on to say it was unpleasant but better than keeping it under wraps.
