Many LGBT+ campaigners rushed to welcome Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex civil unions yesterday (21 October). But now the Archbishop of San Francisco – who has discussed the issue with the pope – suggests Francis’ vision of civil unions may be very different to that of LGBT+ advocates.
Many LGBT+ campaigners imagine the unions – or civil partnerships – will be roughly equivalent to marriage. Indeed, many countries have put in place civil unions as an alternative to same-sex marriage.
But Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone claims what is in the pope’s mind ‘can in no way be equated to marriage’. Francis made the comments about civil unions in a new documentary, Francesco, which premiered yesterday (21 October).