Pope Francis, in a press conference, reached out to gay priests by saying he wont judge them for their sexual orientation.

Francis says: "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?"

This is a bold statement coming from the leader of the Vatican. AP reported that in 2005, his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, signed a document that said men with deep-rooted homosexual tendencies should not be priests. Francis was much more conciliatory, saying gay clergymen should be forgiven and their sins forgotten.

During the conference, Pope Francis was candid in answering questions. He even responded to an allegation that one of his Monsignors was involved in a gay affair ten years ago.

Francis responded by saying that he investigated the allegation but found no evidence to back it up.

Pope Francis further stated that homosexuality is a matter of sin not crimes like sexually abusing children.

And when someone sins and confesses, he said, God not only forgives but forgets.

"We don't have the right to not forget," he said.