"What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered," the pope said in an interview in the film Francesco, which premiered Wednesday at the Rome Film Festival.
The country's Parliament passed the bill despite opposition from the Catholic Church and conservative politicians. Rights advocates hailed the vote, but many hoped the legislation would go further.
Italy's Senate takes up a measure this week that would permit civil unions, but the bill would not legalize same-sex marriage. All of Western Europe already permits one or both.
Italy is the last western European country with no legal protections for same-sex couples. Protesters in the mostly Catholic nation are advocating a civil union bill that goes to Parliament next week.
