KNOCK, Ireland (AP) — Pope Francis says parents of gay children shouldn't condemn them, ignore their orientation or throw them out of the house. “I would say first of all pray, not to condemn, to dialogue, to understand, to give space to the son or the daughter,” he responded. Speaking to reporters after closing out a Catholic family rally in Ireland, Francis said: “There have always been gay people and people with homosexual tendencies.”

Francis was asked what he would tell a father of a child who just came out as gay. Francis said he would first suggest prayer. “Don’t condemn. Dialogue. Understand, give the child space so he or she can express themselves.”

Francis said it might be necessary seek psychiatric help if a child begins to exhibit “worrisome” traits, but that it’s something else if an adult comes out as gay. It is something else if it shows itself after 20 years.”

He emphasised that parents should not respond with “silence”. “Ignoring child with this tendency shows a lack of motherhood and fatherhood.”

He said: “This child has the right to a family. And the family not throwing him out.”

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After returning from his visit, the Pope says that, when parents discover their child is homosexual, they should not judge or condemn them. However, he also remarks that "many things can be done by psychiatry".