Gay rights groups worldwide have welcomed the Pope's statement that he does not judge those who are gay.
Speaking to the media on a flight from Brazil back to Rome, the Pope openly discussed a range of controversial issues.
His comments on homosexuality in particular were considered surprising.
However gay rights groups in Australia say that while the statements are a welcome change in tone, they are not a shift in the Church's policy.
Laura Murphy-Oates reports.
On a crowded plane the media gathered around Pope Francis for an unprecedented 80-minute long candid discussion.
One of the main topics of conversation: homosexuality, and reports of a secretive gay lobby group in the Vatican.
"A lot is written about the gay lobby, I still haven't seen anyone in the Vatican with an identity card saying they are gay. The media say that they are there. I think when one has found a person like this, we have to distinguish between the fact that they are a gay person and the fact that there is a gay lobby. If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?"
The Pope's comments have prompted a positive response from gay rights groups.
Rainbow Sash, is an organisation pushing for greater acceptance of homosexuality within the Catholic Church in Australia.
Spokesman Michael Kelly says the Pope's statement amounts to an important change in tone.
"He is pointing us in a different direction away from this old, well is it right, is it wrong, is it good is it bad, is it acts and orientation. He's pointing us in a different direction in everything he says and does is that what this is about love and welcome and learning from one another and serving one another and listening to those that are poor and marginalised. The Pope can't come out and say, we got it wrong."
Pope Francis still emphasised the Church teaching that homosexual acts are a sin.
But he also stated that gays should not be marginalised and should be integrated within society.
This signals a significant change from the views of the previous Pope.
Pope Benedict angered the gay community in 2008 with his suggestion that homosexuality was as much of a threat to the survival of the human race as climate change.
Co-Convenor of the Australian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby group, Justin Koonin, says the Pope's remarks are positive, but didn't go far enough.
"It's certainly the most conciliatory statement we've seen from the Catholic Church. Obviously it's not as far a statement of acceptance as we would like. Essentially what the Pope is saying is that it's ok to be gay or lesbian - just don't talk about it, just keep it quiet. And that's much better than saying you're going to hell, but on the other hand it's not the kind of acceptance that we are looking for."
The Bishop of Ballarat in Victoria, Paul Bird, says that the sentiments of acceptance from the Pope are often echoed by Bishops in Australia.
He says the Pontiff's remarks may act as a reminder to be more open to homosexuality in general.
"I think a number of the Bishops that I've known do have that caring and compassionate approach to everyone and they too like the Pope would have already taken the approach that they would be seeking to have every group including those with homosexual orientation integrated into society and certainly not marginalised. It may be that some will be reminded of that very important point of respect for everyone by the Pope and I hope so."
During the media conference on the plane, the Pope also spoke about the role of women in the Catholic Church.
While he confirmed his stance that women cannot become ordinated, he believes women should have a bigger role.
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