Pope Francis says homosexuality is a sin but not a crime

Pope Francis has declared homos3xuality a ‘sin’ but not a ‘crime’ as he branded laws which criminalise gay people ‘unjust’.

The pontiff has made some steps to modernise the Catholic Church’s policy towards homos3xuality but has fallen short of condoning it or allowing same-s3x marriage.

In an interview on Tuesday, the 86-year-old said God loves his children just as they are and called on bishops supporting the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

He told the Associated Press: ‘Being homos3xual isn’t a crime.’

He acknowledged Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws criminalising homos3xuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ community – and referred to the issue in terms of ‘sin’.

But he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds and said bishops in particular need to undergo a process of change to recognise the dignity of everyone.

‘These bishops have to have a process of conversion,’ he said, adding that they should apply ‘tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us’.

Some 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalise consensual same-s3x s3xual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which works to end such laws.

Experts say even where the laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, stigmatisation and violence against LGBTQ people.