Pope says gays must not be judged or marginalized

 
Pope Francis, in some of the most compassionate words from any pontiff on homosexuals, said gays should not be judged or marginalized and should be integrated into society.          

In a conversation with journalists on board the plane bringing him back from a visit to Brazil on Sunday night, Francis defended gays from discrimination, but also referred to the Catholic Church's universal Catechism, which says that while homosexual orientation is not sinful homosexual acts are.                           

On another note, Pope Francis said the Roman Catholic Church's ban on women priests is "definitive" although he would like them to have more leadership roles in its administration and pastoral activities.                          

“The Church has spoken and says no; that door is closed,” the Pope said.            

It was the first time he had spoken in public on the issue of women priests.         

Francis arrived back in Rome on Monday after a triumphant week-long tour of Brazil which climaxed with a huge gathering on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach which organizers estimated to have attracted more than 3 million people.                 

During his visit to Brazil, the pope was shown some of the country's most important landmarks.                     
They included a visit to a vast church dedicated to Brazil's patron saint, a rainy walk through one of Rio's dangerous slums and a papal Mass that was one of the biggest in recent history.                          
Speaking to some of the 60-thousand volunteers, who organized the youth festival, Pope Francis said he wanted them to have the courage to swim against the current, which was met by cheers and applause from the audience.                         

Pope Francis ended his visit by expressing hope that the world's catholic youth would now go out and spread their faith.                

Pope Francis' trip has appeared to reinvigorate the clergy and faithful alike in the world's largest Catholic country. 


REUTERS