'Pope stood for what we thought church wouldn't'

James Przystanski and Joseph Nze have praised Pope Francis for the support he offered to the LGBTQ+ community

A couple from Liverpool have told how Pope Francis was the most "progressive" Pope they have seen as they paid tribute to him following his death.

James Przystanski, 33, and Joseph Nze, 33, are both Catholic and are due to be married next year.

Joseph, who is from an Nigerian- Irish Catholic background, said: "Pope Francis stood for everything that we thought the catholic church would never go towards."

The Pope's death on the morning of Easter Monday came just a day after he appeared on the Vatican's St Peter's Square to greet thousands of worshippers.

The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church was discharged from hospital last month after five weeks of treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.

The governing of the Catholic Church will now be handled by the College of Cardinals, its most senior officials, until the new Pope is chosen.

'He made the church more worldly'

James and Joseph visited Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral, which opened its doors to allow people to pay their respects and sign a book of condolence.

"He was one of the best popes I've seen growing up," Joseph said.

"He made the church more worldly and open to other people, faiths and the LGBTQ community."

Pope Francis, once commented "who am I to judge" when asked about his views on gay people.

He roundly condemned countries that consider homosexuality a crime, however, there are those who suggest the Pope could have gone further to encourage change in Church teaching.

The Pontiff's remarks on gay people were seen as much less judgemental than his predecessor's position on the issue.

The couple visited the Vatican last year and have a strong faith, regularly attending church.

James said: "We admired his work on climate change. There was no judgement from him just acceptance.

"It doesn't matter skin colour, sexual orientation. That's what I thought about him."

"The fact he was making these changes in this world is what we need more so today more than ever.

"There's a lot of walls being built and he was breaking them down. Not segregation and integration that's what he stood for."