In a highly candid interview released Thursday, Pope Francis said he wants to focus on social justice rather than gay marriage, abortion, and contraception. “It’s not necessary to talk about those issues all the time,” he said, adding that the Church should be “a home for all.” He also called for “a new balance” in the Church, warning that dogmatism on social issues could cause the Church to “fall like a house of cards,” and lose its “freshness and fragrance.” While the pope’s comments may ruffle some feathers, he’s faring well with American Catholics, 80 percent of whom approve of him, according to a recent poll.
