"They are all invited, and the most appropriate pastoral attitude for every individual is required. We must not be superficial and naive, forcing people to do or engage in activities for which they are not yet mature or capable. Spiritual and pastoral accompaniment necessitates a high level of sensitivity and creativity. Never forget that everyone is welcomed to live in the Church". Thus Pope Francis, returning to the topic of the Church's relationship with homosexual and transgender people. In a conversation with the Jesuits of Portugal, Francis reaffirmed and expanded the appeal he made throughout World Youth Day in Lisbon for a Church that welcomes "everyone" including homosexual and transgender individuals. During his visit to the Portuguese capital last August 5, the Pope met his confreres at the Colégio de Sao Joao de Brito, a school run by the Society of Jesus. The interview was published in its entirety in La Civiltà Cattolica yesterday. "It is clear that the theme of homosexuality is very strong today, and the sensitivity in this regard changes according to historical circumstances," Francis says in an interview with the historic Jesuit magazine, before adding, "But what I do not like at all, in general, is that we look at the so-called "sin of the flesh" with a magnifying glass, just as we have done for so long with regard to the sixth commandment." If you exploited workers, lied, or cheated, it didn't matter, but the sins below the waist mattered." The pope recalls his first encounter with a group of transgender people: "They were crying the first time they came. I asked them why. One of these women said to me, 'I didn't expect the Pope to receive me!' After the initial shock, they became accustomed to coming more often. When someone of them writes to me, I respond by email. Everyone is welcome! I realized that these people are feeling rejected, and it's very difficult”.
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