Vatican cardinal, Peter Turkson, has criticised Uganda's anti-gay law and called for the repeal of its severe penalties.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, who is president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said Tuesday that "homosexuals are not criminals" and shouldn't be sentenced for up to life in prison.

Speaking to reporters in Bratislava where he attended a conference on the Catholic Church and human rights, Turkson said the Vatican also calls on the international community to keep providing aid.

Uganda has been hit with substantial aid cuts in reaction to the law.

The World Bank has postponed a $90 million loan for Uganda's health systems.

Pope Francis has made a point of reaching out to gays, famously saying: "Who am I to judge?"