Pope Francis has once again come out in favor of tolerance for all, regardless of sexual orientation.
A couple months after saying he is in no position to judge a gay person, the 76-year old pontiff gave an in-depth interview to Italian Jesuit magazine La Civilta Cattolica and reiterated this unexpected stance.
"We must always consider the person," Francis said. "In life, God accompanies persons, and we must accompany them, starting from their situation. It is necessary to accompany them with mercy. When that happens, the Holy Spirit inspires the priest to say the right thing."
The Pope does not believe his view veers from the teachings of the Catholic Church, saying God endorses the "existence" of all people with "love."
Contrasting himself with predecessor Pope Benedict - who staunchly believed the Church must stand by its core values - Francis warned that the organization focuses too harshly on a couple major issues:
Homosexuality and abortion.
"The church's pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently," he said, adding: "We have to find a new balance. Otherwise, even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel."
In conclusion, Francis encouraged a change in style and approach, along with a fresh narrative that worries less about what people do in their love or sex lives.
"We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible," he said. "The teaching of the church, for that matter, is clear, and I am a son of the church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time."
The Hollywood Gossip