POPE Benedict has signalled his firm opposition to same-sex marriage, stating policies that undermine the traditional family threatened ''the future of humanity itself''.

The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics said in Rome on Monday the education of each generation needed ''settings'' and ''among these, pride of place goes to the family, based on the marriage of a man and a woman''.

''It just hurts me as a gay man,'' says Victor De Sousa, right, with partner Chris Murray. Credit:Rebecca Hallas

''This is not a simple social convention but rather the fundamental cell of every society,'' he said. ''Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself.''

Speaking to diplomats to the Holy See from almost 180 countries, the pontiff also made ''particular reference to the West'' when he said legislative measures that permit and ''at times even promote abortion'' were a similar threat.