Disallow bans on gay marriage, abortion: Pope Francis

However, the Pope did not hint out at prospect of any changes to be made soon to such moral teachings

Pope Francis has urged the Catholic Church to overcome small-minded rules to find a new balance between upholding its teachings and becoming understanding priests, not dogmatic bureaucrats.

In an interview with the Italian Jesuit monthly, Civilta Cattolica, Pope Francis said the Church should not allow its bans on gay marriage, abortion and contraception to dominate its teachings, but must be a more welcoming place where priests are understanding pastors, Stuff.co.nz reports.

He further added that if the Church does not strike a balance between upholding rules and demonstrating mercy, even the moral edifice of the Church is likely to fall like a house of cards.

However, Pope did not hint out at prospect of any changes to be made soon to such moral teachings.

He also said he envisioned greater decision-making roles for women in the 1.2 billion member Church, but suggested it would not include a change in the current ban on a female priesthood.

Francis went on to become the first non-European pope in 1300 years who condemned the difference of attitude by the Church towards homosexuals.

He said the Church should see itself as 'a field hospital after a battle' and try to heal the larger wounds of society, instead of being obsessed with imposing strict rules of the Church on people.