What the pope said about communion and Catholic politicians who support abortion

How has Pope Francis been seen after his operation?

2:23

(CNN) -

Pope Francis avoided taking sides in the debate on whether Catholic politicians who support abortion should receive communion, saying that it is a decision that should be addressed in a pastoral and not political way, during before the press in the flight returning from Slovakia to Rome this Wednesday afternoon.

“The problem is not theological, it is pastoral,” Francis said, “how we bishops treat this principle.

We must be pastors, also with the excommunicated.

Like God with passion and tenderness.

The Bible says so. "

“The pastor knows what to do.

Every moment he leaves the pastoral path of the church, he immediately becomes a politician. "

The question was asked by an American Catholic journalist who made reference to the issue of communion for Catholic politicians, which has been a problem for American bishops for many years, he said.

Pope Francis' petition in Slovakia 1:14

The pope did not mention President Joe Biden.

In June, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops proceeded with a plan that could deny communion to public figures who support abortion rights, creating a possible public reprimand from Biden, an abortion rights advocate.

advertising

During Wednesday's flight, Francis also reiterated the Catholic Church's teaching that abortion is murder.

The pope was also asked about the European Parliament's condemnation of the continued failure of some EU governments to respect gay rights.

"I have already spoken clearly about this," he said.

“Marriage is a sacrament and the church does not have the power to change a sacrament.

They are laws that try to help the situation of many people of different sexual orientations.

It is important to help people in this, but without imposing on the church things that are not in their nature. "

Francis cited French civil union laws as an example of a nation's right to provide homosexuals and other unmarried couples with health care and other benefits.

“This does not mean condemning people who are like this, please, they are our brothers and we have to accompany them.

But marriage as a sacrament is clear ”.

"Marriage as a sacrament is a man and a woman," he said.

The pope did not break new ground on the issues, but he reaffirmed what he has said in the past.

CNN's Delia Gallagher Report Aboard the Papal Plane

Abortion