On the plane home to Italy from his tour de force visit to Brazil for World Youth Day, Pope Francis spent 80 minutes (80 minutes) chatting with reporters. In that time, the new pontiff never ducked a question, even thanking the journalist who asked him about gay priests. To which he replied: “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Who am I to judge? Is this the pope talking? Francis also spoke candidly on a few other, heretofore touchy subjects, including the role of women in the Catholic Church — he wants it expanded. Lest you miss or dismiss the revolutionary nature of these positions, consider that the last two popes, Paul II and Benedict XVI, favored banning women and gay men from the Catholic priesthood. Plus, Benedict never answered more than a token handful of pre-vetted questions from the traveling press corps.
Pope cool with gay priests
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By Mary Bruno
Mary was Crosscut's Editor-in-Chief and Interim Publisher. In more than 25 years as a journalist, she has worked as a writer, editor and editorial director for a variety of print and web publications,
Mary was Crosscut's Editor-in-Chief and Interim Publisher. In more than 25 years as a journalist, she has worked as a writer, editor and editorial director for a variety of print and web publications,