POPE FRANCIS (Wikipedia).

Homosexuality is not a crime and people with alternate sexual lifestyles should be welcomed into the Catholic church, Pope Francis said in an interview with The  Associated Press.

“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” he said.

He encouraged some of his bishops to recognize the worth of all people.

“These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” he said, urging them to apply “tenderness, please as God has for each one of us.”

Francis’ remarks were applauded by gay rights advocates.

Trump getting back to Facebook, Instagram

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP (Gage Skidmore/Flickr).

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, will restore the accounts of former president Donald Trump, it was announced on Wednesday.

According to The New York Times, Trump was suspended on Jan. 7, 2021 after the attack on the U.S. Capitol building due to concern that his comments might incite further violence.

The change for Trump will come “in the coming weeks.”

Also in the news … the superintendent of the school district where a teacher was shot by a 6-year-old boy has been fired. According to United Press International, Supt. George Parker III was terminated on Wednesday in Newport News, Virginia,  responding to public complaints that administrators ignored several warnings that the youth might be armed with a firearm.

Sports: Finalists for top NFL honors

The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player and other   honors finalists have been chosen.

For MVP, the candidates are Jalen Hurts (quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles), Justin Jefferson (receiver, Minnesota Vikings), Patrick Mahomes (quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs), Josh Allen (quarterback, Buffalo Bills), Joe Burrow (quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals).

Also in Sports …. Five players scored in double figures for the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs 113-104 at home. Anthony Davis, back from a foot injury, scored 21 points. LeBron James scored 20 points.

The Lakers (23-26) trailed by nine points after three quarters but rallied for the win. They’re back in action on Saturday visiting the Boston Celtics.

Weather: Sunny, then mostly …

Sunny skies are forecast for the West Orange County area for the next two days, but then things get a bit winter-y over the weekend. The forecast for Thursday calls for a daytime high of 72 and an overnight low of 44. On Friday we can expect a high of 68 with an overnight low of 45. The prediction for Saturday is mostly sunny with a high of 63 and a low of 50.  Sunday could become mostly cloudy and 57 (47).