Pope Francis Endorses Same-Sex Marriage
In the documentary, “Francesco,” Pope Francis refers to gay people as “children of God," saying that “homosexual people have the right to be in a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it."
The pope is the worldwide leader of the Catholic Church and the Vatican. Catholics go to the Bible and the pope to learn more about living a godly life.
The Catholic Church’s doctrine teaches that a family's foundation is when marriage is between a man and a woman. Though the Vatican has confirmed that the doctrine remains unchanged, Pope Francis’s comments have made it evident that the Catholic Church’s understanding of the family is evolving and becoming modernized.
Pope Francis spoke on how he believes there should be protection for same-sex civil unions saying, “What we have to create is a civil union law — that way, they are legally covered." The pope has also shown compassion to Catholics with untraditional families on many occasions -- examples including children with two fathers, or two mothers -- dating back to when he first became pope in 2013.
Though many critics believe that Pope Francis is watering down the Catholic Church’s doctrine, Pope Francis offers a broader and more compassionate view of the world.
A Tampa born FIDM student, Savannah Watson, explains how she thinks Pope Francis is watering down the Catholic Church's historical doctrine. She feels that his opinions are more inclusive than past popes that have led the Catholic Church. Watson states, "I believe that as a religious leader, he should be teaching the followers of the Catholic Church the traditional doctrine, though I can see where he is going by openly showing his support for the LGBTQ+ community, he shouldn't try to change the traditional doctrine."
Maria Peril, a student at Santa Monica College and a Catholic woman, expressed evident gratitude and appreciation for the pope's endorsement of same-sex marriage. Peril is pansexual, and her family doesn't accept those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
"When I saw that the Pope had in short words said that we have every right to be part of our family and that we are still God’s children, it felt like such a relief, not only for me but also for my friends who are bisexual, lesbian and gay," said Peril. "It felt like a big weight off our shoulders because our religious family can’t use the Bible against us because the Pope has accepted us.”
In the same documentary, the pope spoke out about countries with harsh immigration policies, saying, “It’s cruelty, and separating parents from kids goes against natural rights.”
In today's society, Pope Francis's compassion and love for those who follow his teachings are surreal for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community, compared to past Catholic Church leaders.
