Pope Francis stated Sunday that laws criminalizing LGBTQ people are a sin and an injustice because "God loves and accompanies same-sex attraction."

Pope Francis made his statements to answer a reporter's query aboard the plane returning from a two-country tour to Africa. Two other Christian leaders on the plane with him fully supported his words.

Pope Francis Condemns Anti-Gay Laws

"The criminalization of homosexuality is a matter that cannot be overlooked," said Pope Francis, who then referenced unidentified numbers indicating that 50 nations criminalize LGBTQ persons "in one form or another." Around ten others have laws that include the death sentence for LGBTQ individuals.

Sixty-six United Nations members continue to criminalize consensual same-sex sexual interactions, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Association (ILGA World). In some nations where same-sex relationships are prohibited, the death sentence is a potential punishment, as per Reuters via MSN.

According to the catechism, or doctrines book, of the Catholic Church, same-sex desire is not a sin, but homosexual behaviors are. Also said that LGBTQ individuals should not be marginalized.

Pope Francis recalled his now-famous statement shortly after he became Pope in 2013 that he cannot judge anybody with same-sex attractions seeking God. During his 2018 visit to Ireland, he stated that parents could not discard their LGBTQ children but were required to retain them inside a loving family.

The Pope traveled to South Sudan as part of a peace pilgrimage with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Iain Greenshields. On the return flight, Christian leaders participated in the Pope's regular news conference with the media, a first for any papal trip.

Both parties appreciated the Pope's remarks. Pope Francis reiterated that the Catholic Church could not recognize the sacramental marriage of same-sex couples. However, he welcomed so-called civil union legislation that allows same-sex couples legal protection in areas like pensions, inheritance, and health care.

Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the leading Presbyterian pastor in Scotland, delivered remarks at an unusual airborne press conference. The three Christian leaders were returning from South Sudan, where they had participated in a three-day ecumenical pilgrimage to further the peace process in the young country.

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LGBTQ Rights

According to Daily Mail, they were questioned on Pope Francis' recent statements that laws that criminalize homosexuals are "unjust" and that "being homosexual is not a crime."

South Sudan is one of 67 nations where homosexuality is illegal. In eleven countries, being a member of the LGBTQ community can result in the death penalty. Advocates for the LGBTQ community assert that even when these laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, discrimination, and violence.

Pope Francis also reiterated prior statements that parents should never kick away their LGBT children. The Pope also accused some of his vociferous detractors of using the death of the late Pope Benedict XVI for ideological gain.

In the days and weeks following his death, Benedict's lifelong secretary and several conservative cardinals released books, interviews, and memoranda critical of Francis' reign. The comments put the recently deceased former Pope, who remained a reference point for traditionalists and conservatives, against the present Pope.

Pope Francis stated that rumors of disagreements with Benedict or that Benedict was displeased with certain decisions he had made were untrue and that the two regularly consulted and agreed. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby stated that LGBTQ rights are currently high on the Church of England's agenda and pledged to quote the Pope when the matter is debated at the forthcoming General Synod.

The Church of England recently agreed to bless same-sex civil weddings but stated that same-sex couples might not marry in its churches. The Vatican prohibits both homosexual weddings and blessings for same-sex relationships.

The Pope indicated that "about fifty nations" ban homosexuality "in one manner or another" and that ten countries execute LGBTQ+ individuals. Human Rights Watch reports that 67 nations ban same-sex relationships between consenting adults, while at least nine countries prosecute transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.

Human Dignity Trust, a UK-based human-rights group, reports that eleven nations still apply the death sentence to LGBTQ+ individuals. Pope Francis stated, "The criminalization of homosexuality is a concern that cannot be overlooked."

In a January interview, the Pope stated that while homosexuality "is not a crime," same-sex sexual interactions are a "sin." The Pope also emphasized that parents of LGBTQ+ children should not "condemn" their offspring.

Last month, the Church of England proposed a ban on same-sex marriages in its churches, stating that it will continue to preach that marriage is for "one man and one woman for life." The conclusion was reached after five years of discussion, as per CBS News.

Related Article: Pope Francis Warns World: 'Stop Choking Africa'

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