Pope Francis restates church is for everyone, including LGBTQ+ people

“In thinking of this continent, I feel great sorrow for beloved Ukraine, which continues to suffer greatly,” the pope said, speaking to the crowd in his native Spanish before a noontime prayer and blessing.

He added, “Friends, allow me also, now an old man, to share with you young people a dream that I carry within: it is the dream of peace, the dream of young people praying for peace, living in peace and building a peaceful future.”

Aboard his plane, the pope defended his approach, telling reporters he had privately prayed for peace, that he just didn’t “advertise” it.

Local officials say over 1.5 million people attended the World Youth Day closing mass presided over by Francis on Sunday.

The pope said he’d host a Youth Jubilee in Rome during Jubilee Year which is set for 2025, ahead of the next World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027.

“This is a beautiful sign of the universality of the Church and the dream of unity to which you are witnesses,” he said.

via www.msn.com