Pope and Archbishop decry anti-gay laws in press conference on papal plane
metro.co.ukThe Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury have denounced anti-gay laws in a press conference on board the papal plane.Pope Francis described the criminalisation of homosexuality as an ‘injustice’ while travelling back to Rome from South Sudan capital, Juba, on Sunday.
People with ‘homosexual tendencies’ are children of God and should be welcomed by the church, the Catholic leader said.The Pope’s comments were echoed by the Archbishop, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Reverend Dr Iain Greenshields, who both joined him on the trip to the war-torn country.
It is said to be the first time in 500 years the leaders of the three denominations have come together for a pilgrimage to jointly call for peace.
South Sudan, which became an independent republic in 2011, is one of 67 countries that criminalises homosexuality, with 11 imposing the death penalty.
