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There might be large changes in the Catholic Church in the future. Pope Francis has become the first pontiff to express support for same-sex civil unions. He commented about this in an interview in a documentary film called ‘Francesco’ which premiered at the Rome film festival on Wednesday, October 21.

“Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it. What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that,” said Pope Francis, causing very powerful reactions all over the world.

Bored Panda has collected some of the best reactions to the pontiff’s announcement for you to look through, dear Pandas, so scroll on down, upvote your faves, and share your thoughts with everyone in the comments. Bored Panda reached out to Andreas Harsono from the Human Rights Watch to hear his take on the pope's comment. Read on for Harsono's insights about the effects of the pontiff's comment, how the Vatican might react, and what the effect on the Catholic world could be. We also contacted LGBTQ Faith UK to hear their take on the situation as well.

Finally, we contacted James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author of the book 'Building a Bridge,' on LGBT Catholics. He met with Pope Francis last year in a private audience where they discussed LGBT Catholics. "I had seen the documentary a few weeks ago, and was surprised and delighted by the Pope's candid comments about same-sex civil unions. He had said similar things when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, but saying them when he's pope and in such a clear way, on camera, is another thing. It's an important step forward in the church's relationship with the LGBT community," Father Martin told Bored Panda.

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Louise B
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sums it up perfectly. I went to a catholic school. I was told that Jesus taught us that the most important thing is that we should love one another. He didn't mention any exceptions as far as I remember.

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SheHulk
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Feeding people for free and healing them without demanding their firstborn to be a slave for the rest of their lives? Commie bastard!

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Evelína Zlá
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made me sob... a little. It's simple, humble, sincere... powerful...

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According to Father Martin, Pope Francis' comments stand on their own, especially since the pontiff has said similar things before. "At one point in the documentary, he says, 'I stood for that,' meaning that he had supported the same thing in Buenos Aires. So it would be hard to deny that he said what he said—especially since he said it before."

But what changes does the future hold? Father Martin said that change is coming. It's slow, but it has begun. "While Pope Francis hasn't changed official church teaching, the comments themselves are part of real change that he's instituted in the church's relationship with the LGBT community. He's changed the tone, the approach and the whole conversation around the LGBT community. Remember, he's the first pope even to use the word 'gay;' he's talked about the need to welcome and support LGBT people in families; and he himself has gay friends."

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Leah Helbig
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a messianic Christian. And i don't care about homosexuality never did figured the world had bigger problems. I never listen to the pope i csnt believe people like him are still relevant. If gays wanna get married they should be able too they have as much right to be miserable as everyone else.

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Father James Martin, who is a Jesuit priest, told Bored Panda that he spoke with Pope Francis last year in a private audience during which they discussed LGBT Catholics.

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Harsono from the Human Rights Watch explained that he's based in Jakarta, in Indonesia, where Pope Francis' comment may be met with some confusion.

"It is the largest predominantly Muslim country in the world. Indonesia is also seeing the rise of Islamism, discriminating LGBT individuals from transgender women who run hair salons to gay police and military officers. The Pope statement will puzzle many Muslim clerics in Indonesia. The progressive clerics will indeed welcome the Pope position that LGBT individuals have the rights to love and be loved. The conservative clerics will oppose it, widening the gap between what they considered to be Christianity and Islamism."

According to the human rights activist, the Roman Catholic church is an old and large religious insititution, so there shouldn't be any surprise if there's infighting within the orders and the bishops. It also shouldn't come as a surprise if the Vatican puts out a clarification about the pope's comment in the documentary. However, Harsono remains optimistic.

"His comment will bring changes throughout the Catholic world. Perhaps, some areas will have slower change than the others. In countries with gay marriages, the pontiff's statement will proceed faster. I hope Indonesia, which has a small but economically strong Catholic communities, will proceed faster, at least, among Christians."

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Boopie Dew
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very clear! They say God makes no mistakes . You are who he made you to be. Sending love.

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Meanwhile, a representative of LGBTQ Faith UK told Bored Panda that they, like a lot of other people, were happy to see Pope Francis making the statement. "It is very welcome news. This is in line with what the pope said when he was archbishop in Buenos Aires, so this is what he actually thinks. The Vatican may roll it back a bit, but this is progress, even if it is the two steps forward, one step backwards type."

They continued: "It will not change things overnight, but it is another step on the road of progress. What it will do is make it harder for those who oppose same sex unions to simple hide behind the Roman Catholic Faith. It also offers support and encouragement to those who are campaigning for change."

The film ‘Francesco’ is directed by Evgeny Afineevsky and documents Pope Francis’ story over the last 7.5 years. The film covers issues that the current pontiff finds the most important, such as poverty, inequality, migration, and the environment.

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Jess Sexton
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s “been around” since the beginning of the human race, and our other humanoid ancestors. Every species on this earth has some same sex couples. Homosexuality isn’t something that was created by people, it’s a part of some people’s genetic code, like having brown hair.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES! Even though I’m an agnostic, I like Pope Francis enough to defend him at all costs.

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bryguy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! Maybe a room full of straight people should not be deciding what rights LGBT+ people should have, same as a room full of men should not be deciding what rights women should have.

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According to The Guardian, as pope, Francis had never previously publicly backed civil unions for same-sex couples. The words “as pope” being key here. However, he has previously endorsed such legal arrangements when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

However, before some of you Pandas start celebrating, you might want to temper your expectations a bit. Fundamental religious changes take decades (if not hundreds of years) to take root. And keep in mind that civil unions might be similar to marriage, but they’re not exactly the same.

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Rabbit Carrot
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s because she’s nuts and still believe in a document written at a time when the Oregon trail was still a hot thing.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Religion has been used to justify evil agendas at least since Rome fell, if not before.

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While some people are ecstatic about the church modernizing and some powerful public figures have seen the pope’s comments as positive, other members of the faith aren’t thrilled by the news. Changing thousands of years of belief will take more than a single comment.

In the US, LGBTQ Catholics welcomed Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex civil unions. Meanwhile, Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, was one of the first conservative Catholic leaders to publicly criticize the pontiff’s comment, writes AP.

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Kevin Donegan
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the not too distant future, this will be seen as "normal" as the marriage of a man and a woman. If two people love one another, let no person interfere with their love.

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Tabitha L
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww. This one is cute. I like it. Thumbs up for all people. Love is love.

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Boopie Dew
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think what he really did was save a lot of lives. Whether from brutality of others or from suicide. Some people really struggle with their faith and sexuality. I think what he did was groundbreaking and smart. I'm not gay, nor have a child that is. But i`d be very happy as long as thats who my child is. The more it`s accepted, the better life will be for everyone. Just ♥ one another without bias. Spread it, it can grow. Its time now to observe all humans and the way they want to live. Why does peace seem harder to atain,than judgment or hate.Thank you Pope Francis. May the world watch your lead and join you. I`m sending such love out. Please just pass it on to anyone who needs it.

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May Be
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always thought that celibacy was far more perverted than pretty much any sex between consenting adults. Celibacy is unnatural.

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Leah Helbig
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again this meme makes no sense because the pope only speaks for the Catholics not all Christian dominations. So sorry may not be right but other churches won't change their stance just because of what some guy says.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“It’s just a flesh wound”. Off topic, I know. Can’t help it, big Monty Python fan...

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The concept of family is a lot more fluid and flexible than most people think. LGBTQ people have always had to make their own families, after the ones they were born into rejected them. And the families they made were closer-knit, more loving, and much stronger than the paranoid conformists they were born to. However, acceptance by those who raised you and you were raised with would help heal a lot of stubborn old wounds. It will take time, as most new, progressive concepts do for a majority of people, but it will happen.

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Boopie Dew
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Naw, we just need a better Superior Court Justice . Shes no RBG or even close.

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Wolfstar
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Homophobes: trying to control gay people's sex lives. Me: I dunno that seems pretty gay to me 🏳️‍🌈

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earringnut
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Side bar... Um... Aren't social workers supposed to help people with disabilities? Like isn't that their purpose?

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Deniz Vitvitskiji
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being straight and being homophobic are different things. Straight means you are attracted to the other gender, homophobic means you hate gay people.

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Daria B
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I may get downvoted for ruining the mood, but I think those hand gestures aren't really appropriate (keep reading before judging, it's really not what you think.) I get that, thanks to metal subcultures, the gesture has become some sort of "that's cool" and "you rock" signs, nothing wrong with that. However, Vatican is within Italy, and over our parts it's an insult that means "your partner is cheating on you" (that doesn't mean the metalheads over there don't rock onto this gesture, btw). So, within the context in which this image was made, it could be involuntarily insulting to the lgbtq+ community, due to stereotypes of promiscuity, which are wrong, but very present, unfortunately. Btw, I'm not offended, I'm just inviting everyone to always seek out knowledge (and I don't mean god or bible, I mean knowledge, in whatever form). Peace.

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bryguy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you aren't a straight white man Trump doesn't like you. This is why he cannot condemn white supremacy or proud boys, he would have hardly any supporters left.

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NoodleBear
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is sad, people shouldn’t have to be in fear of someone hurting them because of what they believe

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Rabbit Carrot
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shame she couldn’t follow the Pope’s example and foster an inclusive, happy and safe environment for people to thrive in. Go away Ellen.

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Evil Little Thing
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, the anti-homosexual verses in Leviticus were actually because of translation errors- originally they said not to f**k children.

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