Catholics respond to Pope's civil unions support

Pope Francis became the first pontiff to endorse same-sex civil unions in comments for a documentary that premiered Wednesday, sparking cheers from gay Catholics and demands for clarification from conservatives, given the Vatican's official teaching on the issue.

The papal thumbs-up came midway through the feature-length documentary "Francesco," which premiered at the Rome Film Festival. The film delves into issues Pope Francis cares about most, including the environment, poverty, migration, racial and income inequality, and the people most affected by discrimination. Catholics visiting St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter of New Orleans said they're supportive of the Pope's remarks.

"We shouldn't be excluding people," said Rayven Davis, a Catholic visiting New Orleans from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. "We should accept other people's views. It might not impact us directly, but it means a lot to them. And I'm glad to be part of a world that's becoming more accepting of different lifestyles and people's choices and hope that other people will be open to the same and at least considerate if not accept it themselves."

Phillip Aguilar, a Catholic visiting from Austin, Texas, says the Pope gave many people what they've wanted to hear for a long time – acceptance. "It's big," he said.