Pope Francis has granted permission for priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples in certain cases, representing a notable development for the LGBTQ+ community within the Roman Catholic Church, according to BBC reports.
The Vatican clarified that these blessings should not become part of regular church ceremonies or be associated with civil unions or weddings.
The Vatican document outlining this move was approved by Pope Francis on Monday.
While the document allows priests to decide on a case-by-case basis, the Vatican emphasized that it symbolizes a sign that “God welcomes all.”
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Cardinal VÃctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Church, noted that this revised position does not confer official recognition to same-sex couples within the Catholic Church.
This declaration indicates a change in tone without altering the church’s fundamental stance. In 2021, Pope Francis had stated that priests were prohibited from blessing same-sex marriages, citing the belief that God cannot “bless sin.”
A blessing in the Catholic Church involves a prayer requesting God’s favor for the individuals receiving it.
The BBC reports that the position of Church officials on this matter remains unclear, but bishops in several countries had previously allowed priests to bless same-sex marriages.
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