Pope Francis 'Shocked' by Gay Adoption Bill

Pope Francis was apparently "shocked" over a bill that would grant same-sex couples the right to adopt children in Malta, the Times of Malta reports.

Despite the comments he made in July, where he said, "Who am I to judge a gay person of goodwill who seeks the Lord," Pope Francis isn't too happy when it comes to gay couples adopting children. Maltese Bishop Charles Scicluna told the newspaper that he discussed the gay rights bill with the pope and encourage him to speak out against it.

"We discussed many aspects...and when I raised the issue that's worrying me as a bishop [the right for gay couples to adopt] he encouraged me to speak out," Bishop Scicluna said.

Francis' reaction to the measure may come as a surprise to a number of LGBT rights activists, including officials at the Advocate who named the Holy See their person of the year, because of the remarks he made about the LGBT community.

Malta Today reports that the bill was introduced in the fall and allows couples in civil unions and same-sex couples to adopt children. Malta politicians will continue to debate on the measure in 2014.