Pope Francis says he is still suffering from colds recently (file photo)
Vatican City:
Pope Francis warned on Friday of the dangers of so-called gender theory, saying he had commissioned a study into what he condemned as an “ugly ideology” that threatens humanity.
Pope Francis addressed participants at a two-day conference at the Vatican on the evolving roles of men and women according to Christian teaching. He said what he called “gender ideology” was a threat because it sought to eliminate differences between the sexes.
“I ask for a study of this ugly ideology of our time, which erases differences and makes everything the same,” the pope said.
“Eliminating difference means eliminating humanity.”
Gender theory, often referred to as gender ideology by its critics, holds that gender is more complex and fluid than the binary categories of male and female, and does not depend solely on visible gender characteristics.
The 87-year-old pope said he was still suffering from a cold recently and had asked an aide to read his speech but first wanted to “underline” his feelings about gender ideology.
He said he remembered reading a “prophetic” book called “Lords of the World,” a dystopian novel published by a Catholic priest in 1907 about a world where religion had no place , the book warns of the risks of erasing differences between people.
“If you have time, read it because it speaks to these issues of our day,” the pope told visitors.
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