Franklin Graham on Father’s Health, Pope Francis and Homosexuality
Franklin Graham recently opened up about his father, the pope and controversial social issues in an interview that aired Sunday.
“I’ve never really been one to try to be politically correct. I just feel truth is truth, and sometimes I probably offend some people,” told reporter Harry Smith on NBC’s Meet the Press.
Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the humanitarian aid organization Samaritan’s Purse, said Pope Francis is not the judge on homosexuality, but God is.
“God’s Word is the same yesterday and today and a million years from now, that it’s sin,” he said when asked about Pope Francis’ remarks on homosexuality. “To tell somebody that it’s OK, I know the consequences of what will happen one day when they have to stand before God. I want to warn people, and I think the pope is right when he says he is not the judge. He is not the judge. God is the judge.”
Pope Francis made headlines earlier this year when he said, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge them?”
Graham also spoke about his father’s health. Billy Graham has been in a weakened state since the celebration of his 95th birthday on Nov. 7.
“He’s very weak,” Franklin Graham said. “His vitals are good—blood pressure, heart rate, these things are good. And he’s eating a little bit, but he’s just extremely weak. So I’ve asked people to pray. People who are watching this program, I hope they would pray for him. He would appreciate it very much.”
As part of a nationwide campaign that culminated on his birthday, My Hope with Billy Graham, the famed evangelist preached what will likely be his last sermon.
“Help my father finish well,” Graham said. “I feel that’s what God wanted me to do is to help him finish well.”
Graham also said that sermon received more response than anything his father had done before.
“And when I told him,” Graham added, “he was quiet for a second, then he just said, ‘Praise the Lord!’ And he said it real strong with a loud voice, and he was excited.”
