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.
Look around - the walls you see can actually be used as gym equipment. Personal trainer Lamont J. Wallace demonstrates some moves you can do to build strength just about anywhere.
Football season is entering its final weeks but watch parties and tailgating continues -- and no party is complete without a man's best friend. Luke Silverman, co-founder of Bark Social and Penny, a friendly Cavapoo, joined Cheddar News to show how to set up the perfect puppy-friendly tailgate.
Cheddar News spoke with Big Apple Circus CEO Marty LaSalle who began as a juggler in the ring with the circus and discussed its operations, collaborations and its legacy. Cheddar News also got a chance to see juggler Noel Aguilar in action and discuss what's it like performing on the big stage.
