Divorced Catholics Who Remarry Should Not Be Treated Like Outcasts - Pope Francis

Pope Francis has warned pastors not to discriminate against Catholics who remarry and their children ,saying they deserve better treatment.He also hinted the ban against divorcees who remary from taking communion could be someday lifted.

According to the tradition of the Catholic church, divorcees who marry again are 'living in sin' and should not receive communion. However,Catholics who divorce but do not take up a new union, such as a second marriage, can still receive Communion

The Vatican will hold a month-long meeting on family issues this Autumn. Remarried Catholics hoped a similar meeting held earlier this year would result in the communion ban being lifted.The Pope told pilgrims and tourists at his first general audience since the Summer break...

'People who started a new union after the defeat of their sacramental marriage are not at all excommunicated, and they absolutely must not be treated that way,''They always belong to the church.'

While acknowledging the Catholic church's rule that 'taking up a new union' after divorce is wrong but said the church must be one of 'open doors' and should 'seek the well-being and salvation of persons'.

He warned his pastors 'not to add additional weight' to the children of failed marriages, adding: 'Unfortunately the numbers of these children and young people are truly great.