Pope Francis has spoken with a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a priest and reportedly given the clearest indication yet of his acceptance of homosexuality.
The Pontiff said that God had made Juan Carlos Cruz gay and that his sexuality 'does not matter'.
Cruz was speaking privately with the Pope last week about his abuse at the hands of a high-up priest in Chile.
When the two reached the subject of Cruz's sexuality, Pope Francis is reported as having said: "Juan Carlos, that you are gay does not matter. God made you like that and loves you like this and I don't care. The Pope loves you like this. You have to be happy with who you are."
This is big news within the Catholic church because it is the biggest indication yet that Pope Francis is accepting of gay people, and it is the biggest example yet of the head of the Roman Catholic church accepting homosexuality, which has always been thought of as a sin by Catholics.
It's not the first time that the current Pope has indicated that his views on homosexuality are not as black and white as those of previous Popes.
Back in 2013, whilst he was visiting Brazil, he told members of the press: "If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him? You should not discriminate against or marginalise these people, and the Catechism says this as well."
These latest comments came after the conversation with Mr Cruz turned to the fact that Cruz is gay. Certain members of the church in Chile had tried to argue that Cruz was a pervert because of his homosexuality, according to the Spanish language newspaper El Pais.
The priest who abused him was never brought to trial for his crimes in Chile, but was barred from preaching after being found guilty by the Vatican back in 2011.
The now 87-year-old Fernando Karadima has been banned from all clerical duties and sentenced to spend the rest of his life 'in penance and prayer' for his despicable actions.
Mr Cruz spoke of his happiness after receiving a personal apology from Pope Francis for the abuse that he suffered.
He said: "I was thrilled that he took what we talked about so seriously.
"I felt the visit was not just a matter of protocol, of public relations."
All of the Catholic bishops in Chile recently offered their resignation to Pope Francis as a result of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the church in the country.
The Vatican has yet to comment on the Pontiff's comments about homosexuality.
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