![Pope Francis photo, with the pope reaching out a hand and smiling at crowds](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20539537-730x486.jpg)
Pope Francis said something remarkable on his way back from Brazil on Monday:
On the way to Rio de Janeiro on July 22, Pope Francis told reporters that “I don’t give interviews.” But at the end of his seven-day tour de force in Brazil, not only did the pope give an interview, it was a whopper.He took questions from reporters traveling aboard the papal plane for a full hour and twenty-one minutes, with no filters or limits and nothing off the record. Francis stood for the entire time, answering without notes, and never refusing to take a question.…When asked about the Vatican’s alleged “gay lobby,” he replied that while a lobby might be an issue, he doesn’t have any problem with the inclination to homosexuality itself: “Who am I to judge them if they’re seeking the Lord in good faith?” he said.
Wow. Raise your hand if you expected to hear those words coming from a pope’s mouth any time soon. The actual full quote was:
“There’s a lot of talk about the gay lobby, but I’ve never seen it on the Vatican ID card! When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them? They shouldn’t be marginalized. The tendency [to homosexuality] is not the problem … they’re our brothers.”
It sounds pretty simple when he puts it that way. I know that the pope is not chosen for my pleasure, but this sensible, straight-talking pope is sure working for me so far.
![Pope Francis photo in his popemobile, with Brazilian crowds reaching out towards the car](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20539532-730x486.jpg)
Pope Francis just finished what must be called a triumphant visit to Brazil, which concluded yesterday with a mass before an estimated three million people on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Let’s look at a few photos from the trip.
![Photo of Pope Francis with his robe whipped over his face by the wind](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20527972-730x487.jpg)
The pope got a faceful of robe on a wind-whipped day at the airport in Rio last week.
![Photo of many black-and-red robed cardinals exiting a plane on steps](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20529975-485x730.jpg)
…and was followed by a procession of cardinals and Vatican dignitaries.
![Photo of Pope Francis smiling and chatting with a woman](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20529979-730x486.jpg)
The pope charms Brazilian president Dilma Roussef shortly after his arrival on July 22nd.
![Pope Francis photo, holding up a key to Rio](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20533755-730x491.jpg)
Pope Francis receives the keys to the city of Rio de Janeiro. He also blessed the Olympic flag for the city’s big summer Olympics next year.
![WENN.com](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20537906-591x730.jpg)
![Pope Francis hugs a man in elaborate tribal garb and ribbons](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20537891-508x730.jpg)
We can’t identify this man, alas. WENN describes it this way: “Pope Francis meets the leaders of Brazil at Rio de Janeiro’s Municipal Theater.”
![Pope Francis photo, with him hugging schoolkids gathered around](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20537905-730x457.jpg)
Pope Francis also greeted school children…
![Photo of Pope Francis placing his hand on the belly of a smiling pregnant woman](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20537901-730x489.jpg)
…and a pregnant woman in a very groovy dress.
![Photo of a crowded beach in Brazil where Pope Francis spoke](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20535119-730x487.jpg)
Crowds gathered on the beach in Rio for the World Youth Day celebrations all weekend.
![Photo of Pope Francis speaking on stage, wind whipping his robes](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20535113-730x479.jpg)
…and the pope spoke in wind and rain.
![Pope Francis waves to crowds from his popemobile](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/wenn20536729-730x564.jpg)
And of course, he waved to crowds from his popemobile. Thrilling the crowds and spreading goodwill even to “the gay lobby” — a productive week.
See more photos of Pope Francis I »