Catholic Pope Francis approves same-sex couples

Pope Francis has authorised priests to confer blessings on same-sex couples, an unprecedented development for the LGBTQ+ community affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.

According to the BBC, the head of the Roman Catholic Church has stated that priests should have the authority to bless same-sex and "irregular" couples in certain circumstances.

Nevertheless, it has been emphasised by the Vatican that blessings ought not to be integrated into customary Church rituals, civil unions, or matrimonial unions.

It further stated that marriage is still regarded as a union between a male and a woman.

Monday saw Pope Francis's approval of a Vatican document delineating the action.

The Vatican stated that while the document explicitly forbids priests from making decisions on a case-by-case basis, such conduct should serve as an indication that "God welcomes all."

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Church, explicitly stated in his introduction to the text that the revised position does not bestow official recognition upon couples who identify as same-sex within the Catholic Church.

Although the declaration maintains its position, it does indicate a change in tone. In 2021, the Pope issued a proclamation prohibiting clerics from conferring blessings on same-sex marriages, on the grounds that it is believed that God is unable to "bless sin."

According to Catholic tradition, a blessing entails an intercession or prayer, usually delivered by a clergy member, asking God to grant favour to the person or people being blessed.

Pope Francis suggested in October that he might be amenable to the Church bestowing blessings upon same-sex couples.

While the position of Church officials remained ambiguous, bishops in a number of countries had previously authorised priests to solemnise same-sex marriages, according to the BBC.