Speaking with reporters on Sunday (6 August) during a return flight from #Lisbon to #Rome following the #WorldYouthDay Catholic festival, 86-year-old #PopeFrancis was quizzed on whether the #Church is truly open to everyone. During the festival, the #pontiff had said the Church was open to “everyone, everyone, everyone”, a message queried by a reporter as possibly “incoherent” as women and gay people are barred from certain sacraments. Women are not allowed to become priests and same-s3x couples are not permitted to marry in the #CatholicChurch. “The Church is open to everyone but there are laws that regulate life inside the Church,” the #Pope stated. “According to the legislation, they cannot partake in (some) sacraments. “This does not mean that it is closed. Each person encounters God in their own way inside the Church,” he continued. According to #Reuters, Pope Francis added that ministers in the Church must accompany all people – including those not conforming to the rules of the religious organisation – with the patience and love of a “mother”. Full story via link in bio 🔗 #queernews #queertok #lgbtqrightsarehumanrights #catholic #religiousnews #christiannews