Pope Francis Says Church Is Open To Everyone, Including LGBTQ: "But There Are Laws"

• Pope Francis affirmed the Catholic church's openness to the gay community while adhering to established laws and rules
• The Pope responded to questions about inclusivity and apparent contradictions, noting that the church welcomes all individuals regardless of orientation
• While certain sacramental rights may have restrictions, Pope Francis explained that this does not equate to exclusion

Pope Francis has expressed that the Catholic Church is open to everyone, including the LGBTQ community.

In a Sunday, August 6 statement, the Pope said the church's responsibility is to accompany individuals on their spiritual journey while adhering to established church rules.

Pope says church is for everyone

He addressed questions about apparent contradictions in granting equal rights to all, stating that while the church is open to everyone, it operates within the framework of its laws.

During a press conference on his return flight from Portugal to Rome, Pope Francis spoke about the church's stance on various issues.

He reassured reporters about his health following surgery for an abdominal hernia in June, mentioning that his stitches had been removed.

Still, he would need to wear an abdominal band for several months.

Responding to a question about the perceived inconsistency in the church's openness to "everyone, everyone, everyone," while not granting the same rights to certain groups like women and gay people concerning sacraments, Pope Francis explained that the church welcomes all individuals.

However, he clarified that there are established laws that regulate life within the church, including certain sacraments that may not be accessible to specific groups.

"The church is open to everyone but there are laws that regulate life inside the church," Pope Francis said, as reported by Reuters.

Pope criticises laws criminalising LGBTQ

Earlier this year, Pope Francis called for the relaxation of laws criminalising LGBTQ+.

The pope branded such laws unjust, and the Catholic Church should work on ways to end its criminalisation.

Francis quoted the Catechism of the Catholic church, saying gay people should never be marginalised.

According to ABC News, the pope acknowledged Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize or discriminate against the LGBTQ community.

“These bishops have to have a process of conversion. They should apply tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us," Francis said.

The Pope added:

“We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are and for the strength that each of us fights for our dignity."