Church should shun derogatory words on gays, Vatican synod told

Pope Francis leads the synod on the family in the Synod hall at the Vatican, October 5, 2015. REUTERS/Max Rossi

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Catholics should stop using condescending language such as "pity" towards homosexuals and find ways to welcome them as sons and daughters of the Church, bishops have told a major gathering on the family.

The comments supporting more inclusive language for homosexuals in the Church were made in the first two rounds of interventions at the closed-door gathering, known as a synod, Vatican officials told a news conference on Tuesday.