By Nicole Winfield
Pope Francis endorsed same-sex civil unions for the first time as pope while being interviewed for the feature-length documentary “Francesco,” which had its premiere at the Rome Film Festival on Wednesday.
The papal thumbs up came midway through the film that delves into issues he cares about most, including the environment, poverty, migration, racial and income inequality, and the people most affected by discrimination.
“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God,” Francis said in one of his sit-down interviews for the film. “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”
While serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages. However, he had never come out publicly in favor of civil unions as pope.
Director Evgeny Afineevsky had remarkable access to cardinals, the Vatican television archives, and the pope himself. He said he negotiated his way in through persistence, and deliveries of Argentine mate tea and Alfajores cookies that he got to the pope via some well-connected Argentines in Rome.
More than 15,000 stuffed animals were collected for local charities as part of an annual teddy bear toss event at a minor league hockey game.
A New York magician took two magical treats and put them together for all to enjoy: holiday lights and Taylor Swift hits.
A stranded traveler was rescued after getting stuck near Iceland's erupting volcano.
Wondering what to watch this weekend? This week we bring you films for the family as well as something just for adults. Plus: Drama comes to Cheddar News' favorite Christmas classics poll.
The lineup of performers for Dick Clark's 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' with Ryan Seacrest has been announced.
There is now a host for the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards.
The Masked Singer wrapped up last night and we have a winner -- Neo, the Grammy Award-winning artist who previously competed on the show's UK version.
Initially unsure of which orangutan was the father of a new baby primate, the Denver Zoo decided to have a little fun with the results and turned to the paternity announcement guru himself: former daytime talk show host Maury Povich.
It's beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates.
Rachel McAdams is revealing why she wasn't in the 'Mean Girls' commercial.
