Pope Francis waves to faithful at the end of the weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
By Nicole Winfield
Pope Francis endorsed same-sex civil unions for the first time as pope while being interviewed for the feature-length documentary “Francesco,” which had its premiere at the Rome Film Festival on Wednesday.
The papal thumbs up came midway through the film that delves into issues he cares about most, including the environment, poverty, migration, racial and income inequality, and the people most affected by discrimination.
“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God,” Francis said in one of his sit-down interviews for the film. “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”
While serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages. However, he had never come out publicly in favor of civil unions as pope.
Director Evgeny Afineevsky had remarkable access to cardinals, the Vatican television archives, and the pope himself. He said he negotiated his way in through persistence, and deliveries of Argentine mate tea and Alfajores cookies that he got to the pope via some well-connected Argentines in Rome.
Beyonce and Adidas agreed to end their 'Ivy Park' partnership, according to reports, amid a wave of rumors that the agreement didn't yield the expected results.
Lionsgate, Hard Rock Hotel International, and the North Shore Animal League America held an "Unleashed Yappy Hour," bringing together adoptable puppies and fans of the John Wick movies together.
Andrew McMahon spoke to Cheddar News' Michelle Castillo of dealing with his own leukemia diagnosis amid his rising stardom and his current advocacy for young patients.
In this segment of On a Positive Note, Allen Gogarty, a Queens, New York man, used his musical talents to say thanks to a hospital staff that saved his life.
Cheddar News checks in on what to look out for on The Day Ahead. March Madness continues with the remaining Sweet 16 teams in the tournament while 'John Wick 4' makes its debut in theaters nationwide.
