Some conservatives in the Roman Catholic Church are taking advantage of the death of former Pope Benedict XVI to profit immorally, Francis told reporters on a special plane returning from a trip to Africa.

(Reuters)

(CNA) Pope Francis said today that some conservatives in the Roman Catholic Church are taking advantage of the death of former Pope Benedict XVI to immorally profit from it.

Speaking to reporters on a special plane returning from a trip to Africa, Francis denied that Benedict XVI, who died on Aug. 31 last year, had spoken to some of his friends, as some conservatives have said, according to Reuters. Decided to be dissatisfied.

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"I think that the death of Benedict XVI became a tool for some people," said Francis, using the Italian proverb "to bring other people's water into one's own mill", referring to someone who wants to exploit others for profit.

"These people have no morals. They are partisans, not churchmen," he said. Speaking to reporters, Francis also denounced laws that criminalize the LGBTQ (lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer) community. And mentioned his itinerary plan.

Francis took over as Pope after Benedict XVI announced his resignation in 2013.

Some conservatives claimed that Benedict XVI had been disappointed by some of Francis' decisions, which Francis used the Spanish word Cuento Chino (unbelievable).

Francis said he often consulted with the former pope in the 10 years between Benedict's resignation and his death.

Francis did not name the conservatives in his conversation.

Benedict XVI's longtime secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, published a new book just a week after his funeral on January 5 detailing tensions between the late former pope and Francis relation.

Benedict XVI's conservative ally, German Cardinal Gerhard Muller, a frequent critic of Francis, also published in January.