Pope tells parents to support children if they're gay; recalls Ukraine's suffering on day of prayer

Pope Francis on Wednesday in unscripted comments told the parents of gay children that they should not condemn them, but offer them support. He made the comments in reference to the difficulties parents can face in raising kids.

He has previously said that gays have a right to be accepted by their families as children and siblings. He has also said while the Church cannot accept same-sex marriage, it can support civil union laws.

The Pope also made remarks on Ukraine on a day he had earlier advised would be considered a day of prayer for the country amid ongoing tensions with Russia. He asked people to pray for peace for the country, and also recalled the country's past suffering. He said he hoped the prayers would "touch the minds and hearts of world leaders, so that dialogue may prevail."

Francis also briefly joked in more unscripted comments that he could not greet those who were attending the prayer personally due to pain in his right leg, saying it was an inflamed ligament. He said he was told it was something that can affect "only old people" so he was unsure why he got it.