re: #359 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

There is a difference between the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, which is for the Church to grant according to its own rules, and the civil status of marriage, which is about property, inheritance and hospital/prison visitation rights.

The Pope is simply stating that the latter should be open to all couples. He certainly is not talking about opening up the Sacrament of Matrimony to same-sex couples.

I understand that, but apparently the credulous American press does not. Atheists went through this when the press claimed the Pope was “endorsing” us as well. The Holy See clarified that; I imagine they’ll clarify this. Then the press will forget they ever mentioned any of this. They need their shiny objects.

Pope Francis assures atheists: You don’t have to believe in God to go to heaven (The Independent, 5 October 2015, which goes against everything in the Catholic Catechism)

He did say it was better to be an atheist than a hypocritical Christian.