POPE FRANCIS SAYS HE WON'T 'JUDGE' GAY PRIESTS

Pope Francis said Monday that he won't "judge" gay priests, which Vatican analysts say may be the opening for a more conciliatory attitude toward gay members of the church.

"What is important here is the way the Holy Father was willing to discuss all topics in an open dialogue," said Alistair Sear, a priest and church historian.It was not immediately clear how the new pontiff's statement would impact church policy: the church is already open to gays, even in holy orders, as long as they do not perform homosexual acts.

But experts said Francis' remarks were still significant because they mark the first time a pope had spoken so openly about the topic.

The pope's predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, authored a document that said men with homosexual orientations should not be priests. Francis appears to be softening that position.