This was the pope who asked, “Who am I to judge?” in response to a question about gay priests in 2013. He announced last year that he would allow priests to bless same-sex couples, defying conservative critics in the Roman Catholic Church. And he apologized only weeks ago, in a statement from the Vatican, for using an offensive Italian term for gay men at a conference of bishops. Catholics by the church said his remarks, made in reference to the presence of gay men in seminaries and the clergy, showed the limits of his tolerance. Catholic ministry based in New York, who, like many gay Catholics, has struggled with his relationship to the church.

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Persons: “, Pope Francis, ”, Michael O’Loughlin, I’ve Organizations: Roman Catholic Church, L.G.B.T.Q Locations: Rome, New York