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The Pope has said that ­anyone who discards gay people “doesn’t have a human heart”.

His surprise words – a departure from the beliefs of some Catholics – moved British comedian Stephen K. Amos to tears.

The Pope also urged Stephen and other visiting celebrities to pray for him so he can do his job better.

In tomorrow’s (Friday's) episode of the BBC2 series Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome, Londoner Stephen, 51, is among stars shown having audiences with Pope Francis in Rome.

Others include Brendan Cole, Lesley Joseph and Les Dennis.

Stephen told the Pope: “I lost my mother, three months ago I buried my twin sister, who were both very religious.

(Image: BBC) (Image: BBC)

“So me coming on this pilgrimage, being non-religious, I was looking for answers and faith. But as a gay man, I don’t feel accepted.”

Francis replied carefully: “Giving more importance to the adjective [gay] rather than the noun [man], this is not good. We are all human beings and have dignity. It does not matter who you are, or how you live your life – you do not lose your dignity.

(Image: BBC)

“There are people that prefer to select or discard people because of the adjective. These people don’t have a human heart.”

He added: “For those of you who are believers, pray for me. For those of you who do not believe, could you wish me a good journey, so I do not let anyone down.”

(Image: BBC)

Stephen left in tears and said: “If it had been the answer I was expecting I would have walked out. Hearing what he said floored me.

“He gave me faith in humanity. He knows his response to my question... will have ramifications around the world.

(Image: BBC)

“He’s saying those who hold extreme religious views of anti-homosexuality or anti-abortion don’t have a human heart and that is huge.”

In a conversation not included in the show, Strictly star Brendan had also tackled the Pope over the Catholic stance on abortion.

* The final episode of Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome airs on Friday night at 9pm on BBC Two.

Author Jimmy Burns: The Pope showed a spirit of compassion - not condemnation

Since being elected head of the world’s two billion-plus Catholics six years ago, Pope Francis has earned a reputation as a spiritual leader determined to lift mankind with the good news of the Gospel and the love and respect towards others shown by Jesus.

Francis has sought to break the Catholic Church from its stuffiness and made a huge effort to address injustices and intolerance.

His comments reasserting his belief that faith should be guided by the heart, as opposed to excluding people because of gender or sexual orientation, is fresh thinking from the Vatican.

His comments come across as far less judgmental, with an emphasis on compassion rather than condemnation. In July 2013 he said that gay people should not be marginalised and he wanted a greater role for women in the Church.

The Pope’s comments on homosexuality are couched in the language of engagement. Thankfully gone are the days when the only thing a gay person heard from the Catholic Church was: “You’re intrinsically disordered”.