Pope Francis makes bold statement about Benedict

Pope Francis has claimed that Benedict XVI supported him when he spoke in favour of civil partnerships for same-sex couples, Reuters reported.

In his book, scheduled to be published this Wednesday, the pontiff revealed that Benedict backed him up when a group of unnamed cardinals when to him to complain about the pope's "heresies" on civil partnerships.

"They showed up at his home to practically put me on trial and they accused me in front of him of backing same-sex marriage," Francis said in the book “The Successor: My Memories of Benedict XVI”.

Francis has confirmed the Catholic Church's opposition to LGBT marriages, but has repeatedly said same-sex couples have a right to be protected by civil union laws.

Benedict XVI listened, "helped them distinguish things" and told them that what Francis had said was "no heresy", the pope said.

Already in February 2023, the pope had said that Benedict once dismissed a complaint about what Francis said on civil unions, but offered fewer details.

In December, Francis allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, sparking conservative outrage, insisting this did not amount to a formal approval for non-heterosexual relationships.

In the book, Francis denied there were ever any personal frictions with his predecessor during the unprecedented so-called "two popes" period.