(Above screenshot from YouTube)
Pope Francis, in a new documentary film, is endorsing same-sex unions for the first time as pope.
In the film “Francesco,” which premiered at the Rome Film Festival Oct. 21, Francis’ comments on same-sex unions come as he discusses the need for laws covering LGBTQ couples.
“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God,” Francis said in the film. “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”
Francis endorsed same-sex civil unions as an alternative option to same-sex marriage while an archbishop in Buenos Aries but he has never spoken publicly about it as pope until now, according to the Associated Press.
“‘Francesco’ is the latest film from Oscar and Emmy-nominated Director Evgeny Afineevsky, featuring exclusive interviews with His Holiness Pope Francis, His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Mark Kennedy Shriver, Sister Norma Pimentel, and Juan Carlos Cruz, among others,” the film’s website reads. “‘Francesco’ is not a biographical film about Pope Francis in the traditional sense. Rather it is a film that shows us the world as it is today and a path to understanding what a better future can be for tomorrow as seen through the remarkable work of the Pope in the areas of climate change, migration, refugees, peace and religious tolerance, gender and identity justice, health and economic equality, and, by example, the meaning of inspired leadership.”
News of the pope’s comments in the film caused a stir on Twitter, leading “Pope Francis” to trend at No. 1.
“Pope Francis’s support for same-sex civil unions is a major step forward in the church’s support of LGBTQ people. It is in keeping with his pastoral approach to LGBT people, including LGBT Catholics, and sends a strong signal to countries where the church has opposed such laws,” wrote Jesuit priest and author Father James Martin on Twitter.
Pope Francis’s support for same-sex civil unions is a major step forward in the church’s support of LGBTQ people. It is in keeping with his pastoral approach to LGBT people, including LGBT Catholics, and sends a strong signal to countries where the church has opposed such laws.
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 21, 2020
Martin became involved in LGBTQ advocacy within the church after the 2016 shooting at Pulse in Orlando. The following year, he released his book, “Building a Bridge,” which called on church leaders to better minister to LGBTQ Catholics.
“As a Catholic, I’m pleased Pope Francis is pushing the Church into the 21st Century,” wrote Congressman Ted Lieu of California. “A reminder of what Jesus said about homosexuals: ” “. It was human irrationality & ignorance that led to discrimination against LGBTQ, not the Gospels, which talked about love.”
As a Catholic, I’m pleased Pope Francis is pushing the Church into the 21st Century.
A reminder of what Jesus said about homosexuals: “ “.
It was human irrationality & ignorance that led to discrimination against LGBTQ, not the Gospels, which talked about love. https://t.co/54FDbVqTRm
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) October 21, 2020
“Francesco” will play Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. during the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. The film festival is virtual this year so anyone can view the film online. Tickets for the virtual screening are $5.
Watch the trailer to the film below.
