He (Pope Francis) said:
“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.”
I think that there is a level of over-reach going on. Having read a few of his articles more generally, I suggest that Pope Francis in general speaks after due consideration, and he is no intellectual slouch. Whilst I know for some the idea of diminishing to personhood of LGBT is a popular pastime, in truth such actions fail to acknowledge the idea of our shared humanity, and the image and likeness we bear. This is part of the basis for the encyclical Fratelli Tutti (
Fratelli tutti (3 October 2020) | Francis), though the substance of that document is not about this issue.
Homophobia is a less endearing stream of some Christianity, and I fear it often appears to deny the truth that Christ died for all. If a group of people were being marginalised in our society and left exposed to unfair treatment, I would hope that the Church would (with Christ) stand up in their defence. If you read the words and not the commentary, I think that is exactly what Pope Francis has done.
Viva Papa!