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Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples: What this means for the LGBTQ community

FILE - Pope Francis speaks during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, on Oct. 18, 2023. Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document released Monday Dec. 18, 2023 explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File) (Alessandra Tarantino, Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Pope Francis has formally approved priests to bless same-sex couples in a radical change to Vatican policy, according to a document from the Vatican’s doctrine office that was released on Monday.

The document provides more details on a topic he discussed in a letter sent to two cardinals in October.

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Francis said the blessings may be given under some circumstances, but it is not the sacrament of marriage.

The blessings must not be liturgical or carried out during a civil union.

They must not be conducted while doing rituals that resemble a wedding or include clothing or gestures that are typical in a wedding ceremony.

The document also restated the Vatican’s belief that marriage occurs between a man and a woman, but it also said “when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it.”

Pope Francis’ latest decision is consistent with his reputation for being more welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community than his papal predecessors.

He told the Associated Press, “Being homosexual is not a crime.”

In 2013, he was asked a question about the sexual orientation of priests, and he said, “Who am I to judge?”

Should Catholic priests be allowed to bless same-sex couples? We want to hear from you below.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.


About the Author

Cynthia Miranda graduated from UT Austin and is a proud Houstonian. She is passionate about covering breaking news and community stories. Cynthia previously covered elections, the historic 2021 Texas winter storm, and other news in East Texas. In addition to writing, she also loves going to concerts, watching movies, and cooking with her family.

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