The pope on gay marriage

Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling for LGBTQ Catholics

Roman Catholic priests will be able to bless same-sex couples, as long as the blessings are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, under a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis.

Key points:

  • The Catholic Church teaches that same-sex attraction is not sinful but homosexual acts are
  • The church previously barred same-sex couples from receiving blessings in a ruling, saying God 'cannot bless sin'
  • The Vatican now says priests should decide whether to bless same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis

A document from the Vatican's doctrinal office, which effectively reversed a declaration the similar body had issued in , said such blessings would not legitimise "irregular situations" but be a sign that God welcomes all.

Blessings should in no way be confused with the sacrament of heterosexual marriage, the document said.

It said priests should decide on a case-by-case basis and "should not stop or prohibit the church's closeness to people in every

Pope Francis has endorsed same-sex couples; or he hasn’t; or he allows them to be blessed but only as separate individuals. The news out of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) following the publication of Fiducia Supplicans (a declaration “on the pastoral meaning of blessings”) has been various and confusing.

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the DDF’s beleaguered Prefect, last week had to issue a press let go “clarifying” the declaration’s reception and interpretation.

Fernández, like Pope Francis, claims to be clear about two things:

  • The blessings discussed in Fiducia Supplicans are not a substitute for marriage — nor should they be confused as offering anything sacramental or equivalent to marriage.
  • The Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality remains unchanged — that is to say, the Church regards homosexual feelings as regrettable but not sinful. Consummating an perform of same-sex devotion is, however, false because all non-potentially procreative sex and all sex outside of marriage is contrary to God’s will for humanity.

This latter position is consistent wi

Pope Francis allows blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions

The Vatican has approved a landmark ruling to allow Roman Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, nor given in contexts related to civil unions or weddings.

A document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office approved by Pope Francis on Monday said such blessings would not legitimise irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomes all.

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The document backed “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the adj sex” but “this blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not ev

What Pope Francis said about controversial issues from gay rights to immigration

Pope Francis, one of the more progressive pontiff's in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday morning at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed.

Francis’ willingness to take a more progressive stance on issues from LGBTQ rights to same-sex marriage to immigration make him one of the most progressive and influential popes of the modern era.

Here are memorable moments from Francis' age where he voiced his opinions on those topics.

Francis' stance on members of the LGBTQ community

In December , Francis formally signed off on allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, he said in a declaration released by the Vatican's office.

The declaration stated, "When people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it. For those seeking a blessing should not be required to possess prior moral perfection."

"A blessing offers people a means to increase their noun in God. The request for