An irrelevance - the previous pontifs have been unable to prevent their own cardinals from following their interpretation of the bible. Does anyone really believe if you have homosexual genes you will refrain from having a same sex physical relationship because Francis pontificates ?

Looks like he's got a lot to answer for but I bet he's already been given absolution.

My philosophy on it is that anyone who wants a job that comes with in-built infalliability must have some pretty big skeletons in an enormous closet somewhere.

I'd love for it to be an irrelevance, but unfortunately, it's not.



The Vatican has a huge amount of power – not as much as it used to in Europe, but certainly in the developing world. And it's entrenched attitudes on contraception in particular do nothing to help tackle poverty in those areas and, indeed, hinder progress.



The same can be said of dealing with HIV/Aids.



Then there's the question of abortion. Does anyone, for instance, really think that, were it not for the church's continued attitude, Ireland would maintain laws forbidding any abortion? Or in Nicaragua, where the government outlawed all abortion to please the church, and women are now dying as a result?



And that's without touching on how it still tries to impose it's views in this country, by various means including emotional blackmail.

That got me thinking. We've had extensive revelations about child abuse, indecent assaults on priests etc. but now the new guy names himself after Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of animals.



Surely not that?

Surely you're not suggesting bestiality are you ?

I thought it might be after Frank Sinatra, but then there are skeletons in THAT closet too. Allegedly

There were probably some very literal skeletons in that closet, including a few horse skeletons with no head attached.

Should have listened to Tom Hagen the Don's consigliere!

[uPedants' corner.[/u

1. Homosexual genes is a bit of a puzzler, how do they get passed on to another generation?

2. Being as how he's the Pontiff, isn't it now Francis's job to pontificate?



Don't mind me, I'll go away soon.

So, are you confirming that in your opinion that people are not "born" homosexual? Or at least they are destined to be single-generational (within their family's context) abberations? If people are neither born nor choose to be homosexual how does homosexuality come about? Serious question.

No, he's not.



And there are possible (as in discussed by the scientific community) reasons for the development of sexuality that don't involve genes or choice.