On behalf of the member countries of the European Union, France will soon table a resolution at the United Nation calling for governments worldwide to de-criminalise homosexuality – but the Vatican has condemned the move.

The UN General Assembly is expected to adopt the resolution next week, as it marks the 60th anniversary of its Declaration on Human Rights.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore says the resolution would "add new categories of those protected from discrimination" and could lead to reverse discrimination against heterosexual marriage.

"For example, states which do not recognise same-sex unions as 'matrimony' will be pilloried and made an object of pressure," he said.

But Italy's leading gay equality group says the Vatican's reasoning shows "total idiocy and madness".

"The French resolution, which is supported by all 27 members of the European Union, has nothing to do with gay marriage. It is about stopping jail and the death penalty for homosexuals," said Franco Grillini of Arcigay.

Homosexuality is still punishable by law in more than 85 countries of the world.

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