The Pope quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church, reminding that gays should be accepted and respected, they should not be marginalized and discriminated against,

Francis

said in an interview with the Associated Press.

"Being homosexual is not a crime," the head of the Catholic Church emphasized.

More than 60 countries of the world criminalize homosexual relations, in 11 of them same-sex sex is punishable by death.

In many countries, including Russia, homosexuality is not criminalized, but existing laws promote persecution, stigmatization and violence against LGBT+ people.

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Calling such laws unjust, Francis said the Catholic Church can and should work to end them.

The pope added that bishops who support such laws must "go through a process of conversion" and show tenderness.

At the same time, Francis noted that although being a homosexual is not a crime, it is a sin.

In a conversation with AP journalists, he offered to "first make a distinction between sin and crime" and reminded that the lack of mercy is also a sin.

The Catholic Church does not recognize same-sex marriages "because God cannot bless sin," according to a 2021 Vatican decree.

Earlier, the Church of England apologized to LGBT+ Christians for refusing to marry same-sex couples in their churches.

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