By Aina J. Khan —
NBC News
Using dating apps like Tinder to meet potential partners is "normal" and the Catholic Church's teaching on sex "is still in its infancy," Pope Francis said in a new documentary released this week.
"Sex is one of the most beautiful things that God gave to human beings," the pontiff said in a conversation with 10 Spanish-speaking young people for a documentary called "Amen: Francisco responds."
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The group of young people, ages 20 to 25, including Catholics, Christians, atheists, agnostics and a Muslim, questioned him on a variety of topics including sex, masturbation, disillusionment with the church, the church sexual abuse crisis, racism, immigration, abortion and the LGBTQ community for the documentary which was shot in June 2022 and premiered on Disney+ on Wednesday.
In a discussion on pornography and masturbation started by Alejandra, a woman who creates adult content on streaming sites, the Pope said that pornography is "decreasing."
Pope Francis says that sex is "one of the beautiful things that God has given to people"
April 6, 202300:32
"Expressing oneself sexually is a wealth," he said.
"So anything that detracts from actual sexual expression diminishes you and depletes this richness. Sex has its own dynamic, it has its own raison d'etre. The expression of love is probably the central point of sexual activity," he said. she.
After admitting he did not have a cell phone, Francisco, 86, was asked what he thought about young people meeting romantic partners on Tinder.
[“Being homosexual is not a crime, it is a human condition”, says Pope Francis]
"It's normal," he said.
"Young people have that eagerness to meet, and that's very good."
When asked if he wanted to be in a relationship, he said he had been "dating before I entered the seminary, but then I (chose) the option of celibacy."
At another point, he said that Christians had not always had mature catechism or religious instruction on sex and that it was still at a very early stage.
He added that the "catechetics on sex in the church is still in its infancy."
Pope Francis presided over the Easter Vigil in Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, this Saturday, April 8.
Gregorio Borgia / AP
When asked about abortion, Francis said he instructed priests who care for women who have miscarried "to please don't ask too much and be merciful, as Jesus is."
He added that "a woman who aborts must be accompanied, she must not be sent to hell at once."
[Pope Francis advocates for civil union laws to recognize gay couples]
But he said that abortion should also be viewed "scientifically and with a certain coldness."
He added that one month after conception, an embryo is not "a bunch of cells that came together but is a systemic human life."
Celia, who identified as nonbinary, asked if the church can have space for the transgender, nonbinary, and LGBTQ community in general.
“The church cannot close its doors to anyone,” Francisco said.
“I don't have the right to kick anyone out of the church,” he added.
"My duty is to receive, always."
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Francis has been hailed as more progressive than some of his predecessors for his views on the LGBTQ community, having previously called for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples.
And in January, he said homosexuality was not a crime and described laws criminalizing homosexuality as "unfair."
He said that God loves everyone just the way they are.
The Pope's frankness seemed to go down well with the group.
One described him as "relaxed" and said "there wasn't that much pomp about him."
The documentary was released days after Francis was released Saturday from a Rome hospital where he was treated for bronchitis.
He received intravenous antibiotics during his three-day stay.
