NOVEMBER 2, 2020 6:43 AM UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

Vatican moves to clarify pope's comments on civil union laws

By Philip Pullella
3 MIN READ

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican says comments by Pope Francis on civil union laws in a documentary last month were taken out of context and did not signal a change in Church doctrine on homosexuals or support for same-sex marriage.

The documentary, “Francesco”, which premiered at the Rome film festival on Oct. 21, made headlines for a comment in which the pope says that homosexuals have a right to be in a family and that civil union laws covering homosexuals are needed.

The pope’s comments as portrayed prompted praise from liberals and calls for urgent clarification from conservatives.

Last week, the Vatican’s Secretariat of State quietly sent an “explanatory note” to its ambassadors, who sent it to bishops.

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