|
But he said he was confident that, except for Africans, critics
of his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples would
eventually understand it.
Blessings were allowed last month in a document called Fiducia
Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), which has caused widespread
debate in the Catholic Church, with particularly strong
resistance coming from African bishops.
"Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological
groups," Francis told Italian newspaper La Stampa. "A special
case are Africans: for them homosexuality is something 'bad'
from a cultural point of view, they don't tolerate it".
"But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be
reassured by the spirit of the 'Fiducia Supplicans' declaration
by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to
include, not divide," the pope said.
Last week, Francis appeared to acknowledge the pushback the
document received, especially in Africa, where bishops have
effectively rejected it and where in some countries same-sex can
lead to prison or even the death penalty.
He said that when the blessings are given, priests should
"naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the
places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it".
In the interview with La Stampa, Francis said he was not
concerned about the risk of conservatives breaking away from the
Catholic Church due to his reforms, saying that talk of a schism
is always led by "small groups."
"We must leave them to it and move on...and look forward", he
said.
Turning to Israel and the Palestinians, he said "true peace"
between them will not materialise until a two-state solution is
implemented and lamented that their conflict was widening.
Francis confirmed he is scheduled to meet the president of his
native Argentina, Javier Milei, on Feb. 11, and that finally
visiting the country - where he has not returned since becoming
pope in 2013 - is a possibility.
He said his agenda for 2024 currently includes trips to Belgium,
East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Speaking about his health, which has taken some knocks in recent
years with hospitalisations, mobility problems and cancelled
trips or events, the 87-year-old said, "there are some aches and
pains but it's better now, I'm fine."
(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Michael Perry)
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
