The Pope asks parents not to "never" condemn their children, not even for their sexual orientation.
A look towards the LGBT world which confirms that line indicated for some time by Francis and which has led various dioceses and parishes to open up to this world.
But the associations of the gay world, while recognizing Bergoglio an openness compared to previous pontificates, remain lukewarm: they speak of "ambiguity", "paternalism" and above all they do not like that approach with people with problems, since the Pontiff in the the same discourse has brought together illness, abuse, detention, and precisely the question of homosexuality.
"I think of parents in the face of their children's problems", "parents who see different sexual orientations in their children: how to manage this and accompany their children and not hide in a condemning attitude. Never condemn a child", said the Pope, in the general audience, in which he continued the catechesis on St. Joseph.
"We welcome the words of Pope Francis which confirm an attitude of openness towards LGBT people, very different from that of the previous Popes. However, we want to underline that LGBT people do not need paternalism or pity: they ask for rights, equality, equal dignity ", comments Gabriele Piazzoni, general secretary of Arcigay.
Gaynet's evaluation harder: "Despite the mass coming out of the German Catholic Church a few days ago with the #OutinChurch campaign, Pope Francis continues his basic ambiguity on the homosexuality issue".
He addressed parents who have problems with their children, "placing on the same level children who are 'girlish', with serious illnesses or who discover a sexual orientation different from expectations. Francis' words - underlines the national secretary Rosario Coco - embellished from 'do not condemn your children', they leave the doors open to the idea of homosexuality as a problem. If Francis really wants to prevent parents from condemning homosexual children, he should speak out clearly for the decriminalization of homosexuality in the world and against the so-called '
During the audience, the Pope asked to pray for Ukraine and launched an appeal for the Day of Remembrance which is celebrated tomorrow.
The Holocaust is "a black page in history" that must not repeat itself, Francis said.
Finally, a confidence to the faithful present in the Paul VI Hall: "I have a problem in my right leg: a ligament in my knee is inflamed", "a passing thing".
But he played down: "They say that this only comes to the old and I don't know why it came to me."
