After advocating limits on the freedom of speech and expression, Pope Francis recently said the traditional family is threatened by those trying to redefine the sacred institution of marriage. He made the statement in context to the efforts of gay rights campaigners who have been trying to legalize same-sex marriage in different parts of the world. After claiming the church had relaxed its stance towards the LGBT community only a few months ago, Francis shared his bigoted views on same-sex marriage with a huge congregation in Manila during his tour around Asia only a few days ago.

“The family is threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage. These realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces which threaten to disfigure God’s plan for creation,” said the Pope. “Every threat to the family is a threat to society itself.”

In 2013, the pontiff insisted that lesbians and gays should be integrated in society rather than marginalized.

“If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?” he said then.

Even though his comment was a lot less hostile compared to his predecessors, it is evident that the Pope still has very critical views about LGBT individuals.

On a different note, Francis said women have a positive role to play in society and this statement too, was contradictory considering the Roman Catholic Church bans women from taking on any leadership or clerical roles.

“Women have much to tell us in today's society. At times we are too 'machista' and don't allow room for women,” he said, using the Spanish word for a male chauvinist. “Women are capable of seeing things with a different angle from us, with a different eye, and pose questions that we men are not able to understand ... so when the next pope comes to Manila, let's please have more women among you.”

Photo Credits: Outside the Beltway