Pope says church must be welcoming to all… hours after Vatican fires gay priest
Pope Francis reaffirmed Catholic opposition to gay marriage but said the Church had to show love and understanding towards all as he opened a three-week gathering of bishops from around the world on Sunday. Francis made his comments as he presided at a solemn Mass in St Peter’s Basilica to open the meeting, known as a synod, on the theme of the family in the modern world. But the run-up to the synod, attended by some 300 bishops and other delegates, has been dominated by gay issues. On the eve of the gathering, the Vatican dismissed Polish priest Krzysztof Charamsa from his Holy See job after he came out as gay and called for changes in Catholic teachings against homosexual activity....