Pope Francis: Christians Should Apologize to Gays and Lesbians for Ill Treatment

Pope Francis in a press conference on June 26 in his plane while returning from Armenia to Rome

(Photo courtesy: CNA)

Pope Francis, after completing his Apostolic Voyage to Armenia on June 24 to 26, spoke on various topics and issues raised by accompanying journalists in his returning plane, reports News.va.

He spoke on the Armenian genocide, Church's relation with the gay men and women (homosexuals), Britain's exit vote for leaving the European Union, some religious and ecumenical issues, women deacons, and more.

Regarding the gay people, the pope remarked that the Church should apologize to them and ask forgiveness for offending them in different ways. Besides, he also said that the Church should ask forgiveness of other groups hurt by Christians, who do not live up to the Gospel.


For more on the Pope and the relationship of the Church with the gay people, please read the following:

• Pope Francis says the Church should apologize to Gays (June 26, 2016)
• Pope Francis says Church should accompany gays, not discriminate (June 26, 2016)
• Papal press conference touches a host of issues (June 27, 2016)
• Pope backs apology to gays, but says it's not just them (June 26, 2016)
• Full Text: Pope Francis' in-flight press conference from Armenia (June 26, 2016)
• Pope: Christians should apologize to gay people (June 27, 2016)
• Pope Francis says Christians should apologise to gay people (June 26, 2015)
• Pope Francis: Church Should Apologize To Gays And Other Marginalized Groups (June 26, 2016)
• Pope Francis says Church should apologise to gays (June 27, 2016)
• Gay Catholic Groups Want the Vatican to Do More Than Apologize (June 27, 2016) 
• Pope Francis signals openness towards gay priests (July 20, 2013)
• Pope Francis: Who am I to judge gay people? (July 29, 2016)
• Same-sex marriage debate: Where does Pope Francis stand on same-sex marriage? (2013)
• Pope Francis [on] Gay Marriage (2013 - 2016)
• Pope Francis compares paedophile priests to 'sacrilegious cult' [Video] (July 7, 2014)
• Pope Francis criticizes gay marriage, backs ban on contraception (January 16, 2015)
• Pope Francis Statement That Changed the Church on LGBT Issues (July 28, 2015)
• Pope Francis offers hope to divorced Catholics, says no to gay marriage (April 8, 2016)
• Pope Francis' gay-friendly comments don't match the Catholic Church's actual policies (June 27, 2016)