Pope: Beliefs on Homosexuality, Abortion, Contraception Should Not Dominate Teachings

Made comments in interview with Civilta Cattolica

(Reuters)—Pope Francis said the Catholic Church should not allow its bans on gay marriage, abortion and contraception to dominate its teachings, but must be a more welcoming Church where priests are understanding pastors and not cold, dogmatic bureaucrats.

In a dramatically blunt interview with Civilta Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit monthly, Francis did not hold out the prospect of any changes soon to such moral teachings but appeared to be trying to shift the Church's tone on them from condemnation to mercy.