World

Pope Francis reaffirms blessings for LGBTQ+ couples

By Jake Beardslee · January 26, 2024

In brief…

Pope Francis defended allowing blessings for same-sex couples
Marks the second time the pope has affirmed the decree
Pontiff is navigating reforms while trying to prevent outright schism with traditionalists

Pope Francis is continuing his delicate balancing act of initiating pastoral reforms for marginalized groups like the LGBTQ community while preventing an ideological schism with more conservative factions of the global Catholic Church. Casa Rosada (Argentina Presidency of the Nation)/Wikimedia

Pope Francis has once again defended his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples, though he clarified the Catholic Church’s position that such relationships are still considered “irregular.”

Speaking to Vatican doctrinal officials on Friday, the pope stated that blessings “do not require moral perfection to be received,” and giving them to same-sex couples would “show the closeness of the Lord and the Church” to those seeking spiritual guidance.

This marks the second time Pope Francis has publicly justified his decree, after pushback from conservative bishops who called it heretical.

Since becoming pope in 2013, Francis has aimed to make Catholicism more inclusive of LGBTQ people, while upholding the Church’s doctrinal stances on sexuality and marriage.

Francis advised priests granting same-sex blessings to consider their cultural context and use appropriate discretion. This nods to the diversity of perspectives within the global Catholic Church.

The pontiff continues treading a fine theological line - signaling openness while avoiding major doctrinal changes that would provoke a rift with conservatives.