Pope Francis has approved priests to bless same-sex marriage, implying a significant milestone for the LGBTQ+ community within the Roman Catholic Church.
According to the BBC, the head of the Roman Catholic Church stated that, in some cases, priests should be able to bless same-sex and “irregular” couples.
Meanwhile, the Vatican has stated that blessings should not be incorporated into routine Church ceremonies or associated with civil unions or weddings.
It added that it still viewed marriage as between a man and a woman.
A Vatican document outlining the move was approved by Pope Francis.
Though the document itself states that priests must make decisions on a case-by-case basis, the Vatican reveal it should be a sign that “God welcomes all.”
While introducing the text, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Church, made it clear that the revised position does not confer official recognition to same-sex couples within the Catholic Church.
The declaration implies a shift in tone, though without altering its position. In 2021, the Pope declared that priests are prohibited from bestowing blessings upon same-sex marriages, citing the belief that God cannot “bless sin”.
Within the Catholic Church, a blessing comprises prayer or entreaty, normally recited by a minister, requesting that God favours the individual or individuals receiving the blessing.
Pope Francis hinted in October that he might be willing to see same-sex couples blessed by the Church.
The BBC reported that while the position of Church officials remained unclear, bishops in many countries had previously granted priests permission to bless same-sex marriages.
