The AP Interview: Pope says homosexuality not a crime

Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church. Declaring such laws “unjust,” Francis said the Catholic Church can and should work to put an end to them. On Tuesday, Francis said there needed to be a distinction between a crime and a sin with regard to homosexuality.