Catholic homosexuals around the world have expressed disappointment at the church's decision not to back Pope Francis' proposals for the Catholic Church to be more accepting of gay people.

Over 200 bishops and cardinals in Rome were asked to vote on whether the church should welcome men and women with homosexual tendencies,with respect and care.

This was rejected.

They were also asked if communion should be allowed for divorced and remarried Catholics.

This too was turned down.

Recent attempts by Pope Francis to make the religion more accepting of homosexuality were quashed by conservative clerics.

Bishops at a special synod about the family also repeated the traditional teaching of the church in their new document that marriage is only between man and woman.