Pope Francis making a significant statement showing conciliation to gay priests and gays and lesbians all around the world.

George we just got it from the aircraft. 

Yes. This is Pope Francis.This is a man who spent his life in service and it was thought that

perhaps that his election was in part because he represented the churches reaching out to the distant franchise that half included women and gays and speaking for a little over an hour and answering questions

with the press corps in Italian

and it says relaxed

often joking with them, he says not only will the role of women in the church be more prominent and important, this is also what he had to say. It’s specific about gay priests. 

“If someone is gay, someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” This, of course, does fly in face really of his predecessor Pope Benedict who had said that men with deep-rooted homosexual tendencies should not be priests. 

Again, as you mention, George, another sign of conciliation. And you know there is growing sentiment inside the church and still

a lot of opposition in the Catholic clergy to gay marriage.

But I spoke with Cardinal Dolan

in New York

several weeks ago, said what would you say to a gay couple who says they love each other and want to live out that and he said, “I love you to and god loves you. They are trying to reach out, trying to find ways to include everyone

in that church now.”

But the Pope coming out and making those kinds of statements like that. We had an indication from him early on that he was going to be a different type of leader. 

And I really feel like again, the church, they realize they had come to something of a crossroads and they would have to make a gesture such as these and, again, it's interesting not only did he say it but how it was said again, in very relaxed back and forth. It comes up on an amazing trip to Brazil this week where there is a strong listen up.

Especially the young people. All over him. Absolutely. The headline at the moment.