Pope Francis Calls for Civil Union Laws for Same-Sex Couples

Pope Francis called for the creation of civil union laws for same-sex couples in a new documentary screened at the Rome Film Festival on Wednesday: “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way, they are legally covered. I stood up for that.” Francis also said that "[homosexuals] have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it.” The Catholic church has not indicated any change in its official stance on the issue; current Catholic doctrine under the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith includes strong opposition to civil unions, calling them an “approval of deviant behaviour.” Coverage in some center- and left-rated outlets focused on activists’ expectations that the pope’s comments would lead to greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. Coverage in center- and right-rated outlets tended to distinguish between the pope’s views and the church’s doctrine.