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 That statement came in response to a reporter's question on the
papal plane about Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who was
jailed earlier this month for refusing to grant marriage licenses to
same-sex couples despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that
legalized gay marriage in all 50 states.
"Conscientious objection must enter into every juridical structure
because it is a right," Francis told reporters, speaking in Italian.
"If someone does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he
denies a right."
Francis alluded to the Roman Catholic Church's objections to gay
marriage during some of his U.S. talks, citing concerns about
"juridical" changes to the definition of the family. Still, he
largely avoided the issue, the subject of intense debate.
"He wanted to be bridge-building and not divisive, and that's one of
the most polarizing issues in contemporary American society," said
Boston College theology professor Stephen Pope.
The pope had been expected to deliver an address Saturday night on
religious freedom, which Davis' backers, including Republican
presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, have said is a key issue in
her fight. But Francis changed course, abandoning prepared remarks
and instead speaking about love and the importance of families.
FIGHT FOR LGBT RIGHTS
That speech came hours after Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter
defended gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights in comments
on the steps of Independence Hall ahead of another papal address.
"In America, everyone has rights," said Nutter, a former altar boy.
"Our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender neighbors continue to
fight for their rights."
He cited a response Francis gave to a question about gay rights
early in his papacy: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good
will, who am I to judge him?"
"Who are any of us to judge the lives of others?" Nutter said. "The
scripture tells us judge not, lest you be judged."
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While Francis has brought a humble, nonjudgmental approach to his
office, he has not changed Catholic dogma, which holds that
homosexual activity, extramarital sex and abortion are sinful.
Even as his change in tone has raised Francis' popularity among
liberal-leaning Catholics, his de-emphasis of the Church's
opposition to gay marriage and abortion in favor of calls for action
on climate change and criticism of the excesses of capitalism has
lowered his approval among conservatives, polls show.
Papal spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters shortly before his
departure on Sunday that the pope had not commented extensively on
gay marriage during his visit because his views on the subject were
obvious.
"He comes here hoping to deliver a positive message," Lombardi said.
"He does not want, I think, to get into polemics or discussion
because he comes for a positive message."
Bill Donohue, of the conservative-leaning Catholic League, said he
believed that however guarded, Francis' message of the Church's
continued opposition to gay marriage and abortion was clear to
devoted Catholics.
"He didn't want to use divisive language ... but at the same time it
was pretty clear that he was denouncing radical Islam, that he was
denouncing same-sex marriage," Donahue said. "He was very clear on
abortion. I don't think anyone failed to hear what he was talking
about."
(Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
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