Pope Warns Against Persecution Of Gays, Says They’re ‘Children Of God’

Pope Francis on Wednesday warned against persecution and ostracism of homosexuals because of their sexual inclination.

He also endorsed same-sex civil unions despite the Catholic church’s teaching on homosexuality which strongly kicked against it.

Catholic News Agency reports that the religious leader delivered the historic remark in ‘Francesco’, a new documentary on his life and ministry, which premiered at the Rome film festival on Wednesday.

He also called gay Catholics “children of God” and said they should not be thrown out from the religion.

“Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” he was quoted to have said.

“What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that.”

Although, the pope has previously lent his voice to same-sex marriages, this would be the first time he will be giving it a full endorsement.

James Martin, a Jesuit priest, took to his Twitter page to hail the religious leader, saying “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.”