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.
Jason Sudeikis, in an interview, said this season is the last for its Apple TV hit "Ted Lasso" but hinted that the conclusion could set up a spinoff show.
Athletes come together to participate in a Special Olympics hockey game; a high school cheer team keeps the spirit of their classmate alive; and rescued dogs get makeovers to prepare for a second chance at a forever home.
Cheddar News is celebrating Women's History Month by shining a light on trailblazers and changemakers that are making strides across industries. Cheddar's Hena Doba sits down with Cate Luzio, Founder and CEO of Luminary, to find out how she's helping women thrive through networking, mentorships, and so much more.
