The Vatican Secretariat of State has sent a note to nuncios around the world explaining the pope’s comments about civil unions in the documentary “Francesco” by Evgeny Afineevsky.
Pope not changing church teaching on gay unions, Secretariat of State says
Pope has history of defending marriage, but being open to some civil unions
Pope Francis often has expressed openness to the idea of laws recognizing civil unions, including for gay couples, to protect their rights.