The double-edged sword of Pope Francis' same-sex union comments

Civil unions are not equality

Pope Francis.
(Image credit: Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock)

In a new documentary that premiered in Rome this week, Pope Francis expressed his support for the creation of civil unions for same-sex couples. Such relationships, Francis said, should be "legally covered."

"Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family," the pontiff declared.

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Neil J. Young

Neil J. Young is a historian and the author of We Gather Together: The Religious Right and the Problem of Interfaith Politics. He writes frequently on American politics, culture, and religion for publications including The New York Times, The Atlantic, the Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, Vox, and Politico. He co-hosts the history podcast Past Present.