Pope Francis Tells Roman Catholic Priests To Bless Same-Sex Couples

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, on Monday formally allowed Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. Pope's decision is a significant shift in Vatican doctrine. However, there are a few conditions that same-sex couples have to follow. According to the reports, the blessings may be carried out providing the same-sex couple is not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies.

The latest decision by Pope Francis marks a shift away from a 2021 ruling that barred any blessings saying God "cannot bless sin."

Notably, since July 2023, the doctrine department has been taken care of by Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, an Argentinian prelate and ally of Francis, who has a different tone from his predecessors.

The Vatican document authored by Cardinal Fernandez and approved by the Pope said, "When people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it." "The grace of God works in the lives of those who do not claim to be righteous but who acknowledge themselves humbly as sinners, like everyone else." the documents said.

The new ruling says it is opening "the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex" although says it is leaving decisions to "the prudent and fatherly discernment of ordained ministers."

"A major step forward in the church's ministry to LGBTQ people," writing on X that it "recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God's presence in their loving relationships," said James Martin, a Jesuit priest who ministers to gay Catholics after Pope Francis new approval.