Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples, ritual not to be confused with sacrament of marriage
Pope Francis has officially allowed the blessing of same-sex couples, outlining a significant shift in Vatican policy. The newly released document from the Vatican's doctrine office, which expands on a letter sent by Francis to two conservative cardinals in October, emphasizes that individuals seeking God's love and mercy should not be subjected to an exhaustive moral analysis for its reception. The document suggests that under certain conditions, such blessings may be extended without conflating the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.
The latest document reiterates the underlying reasoning and provides further details, emphasizing the belief that marriage is a sacred lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. It underscores the notion that blessings should not coincide with a civil union, advocating against employing specific rituals, attire, or gestures associated with weddings.
Requests for such blessings should unequivocally be granted, as the document emphasizes that those seeking a connection with God, desiring His love and mercy, should not face an exhaustive moral scrutiny as a prerequisite. The document underscores that a blessing ultimately provides a pathway for individuals to deepen their trust in God, expressing and fostering openness to transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God across various life circumstances.
The Vatican asserts that marriage constitutes an unbreakable bond between a man and a woman, consistently opposing same-sex marriage. In 2021, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith explicitly stated that the church couldn't bless unions between two men or two women, citing the belief that «God cannot bless
