FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images(ROME) — Pope Francis is experiencing some rare criticism after his recent remarks about teens and gender identity.
The Vatican has published comments the pope made during his trip to Poland where he complains that schools are teaching children that everyone can choose their gender. The pope went on to blame the so-called teachings on textbooks supplied by people and institutions who donate money, though he didn’t name them.
He added that the move was part of what he described as “ideological colonizing,” backed by very “influential countries,” which he also did not identify.
“The harshness of the comment came as a surprise,” said Francis DeBenardo, who is spokesperson for New Ways Ministries, a group representing LGBTQ Catholics.
“Like most church officials, he really doesn’t understand the reality of people’s lives dealing with gender identity issues. Nobody chooses their gender identity, they discover it,” DeBenardo said.
He acknowledged Pope Francis has shown more tolerance toward gays and lesbians and others than his predecessors, but said the pope remains largely clued out about human sexuality.
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