Pope Francis on Wednesday reminded Catholic bishops to not condemn politicians who support abortion rights, but treat them with “compassion and tenderness,” the Associated Press reported.
© Tiziana Fabi/Pool via AP Pope Francis said Wednesday that Catholic bishops must not condemn politicians who support abortion rights. The pope speaks with journalists on board an Alitalia aircraft enroute from Bratislava back to Rome, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021 after a four-day pilgrimage to Hungary and Slovakia.The pope’s comments came when he was asked while traveling home from Slovakia whether politicians who back abortion rights, like U.S. President Joe Biden, should be able to receive Communion. Francis said that bishops should not let politics be a consideration in deciding whether someone could receive the sacrament, AP reported.
![Pope Francis wearing a suit and tie: Pope Francis said Wednesday that Catholic bishops must not condemn politicians who support abortion rights. The pope speaks with journalists on board an Alitalia aircraft enroute from Bratislava back to Rome, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021 after a four-day pilgrimage to Hungary and Slovakia.]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAOtx2W.img?h=534&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=685&y=263"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAOtx2W.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=685&y=263"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAOtx2W.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=685&y=263"}})