Pope Francis has hinted that the Church may examine it’s stance on civil unions, to ensure the well-being of same-sex couples.

In an interview with Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, the 77 year-old commented on governments that are legalising civil unions in order to provide better economic conditions for a variety of couples.

He said, “Secular states want to justify civil unions to regulate different situations of cohabitation, pushed by the demand to regulate economic aspects between persons, such as ensuring health care. It is about pacts of cohabiting of various natures, of which I wouldn’t know how to list the different ways.”

While the Pope maintained the Church’s stance that “marriage is between a man and a woman,” he admitted that new realities must be examined by the Church.

‘‘One needs to see the different cases and evaluate them in their variety.”

While the comments were not an endorsement of same-sex marriage, the Pope’s statement could signal the possibility of the Church supporting gay unions in the future.

Pope Francis was named ‘Person of the Year’ by gay magazine, The Advocate in 2013. Last year, Francis also made headlines when he welcomed gays priests, saying, “Who am I to judge?”