Pope Francis Approves Blessings For Same-Sex Couples

The Catholic Church maintains its doctrinal stance against same-sex marriage, condemning any sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners as "intrinsically disordered."

Pope Francis acknowledged that some Catholic bishops in certain regions still support laws criminalizing homosexuality or discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals, attributing such attitudes to cultural backgrounds.

However, Pope Francis, during his nearly 11-year papacy, has undertaken significant efforts to foster a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, as reported by David Crary for the Associated Press (AP).

From the early days of Francis' papacy, it was evident that he aimed to articulate a more compassionate and tolerant approach.

A notable moment occurred in 2013 during the first broadcast news conference of his papacy when he responded to a question about a purportedly gay priest with the memorable statement, "Who am I to judge?"

Prior to this, as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he had supported legal protections for same-sex couples as an alternative to endorsing gay marriage, which goes against Catholic doctrine.

The Vatican confirmed in 2020 that this was indeed the pope’s belief.

In January 2023, Pope Francis criticized laws in many countries that criminalize homosexuality, calling for their elimination. During an interview with AP, he stated, "Being homosexual isn’t a crime."

Notably, in 2008 under Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican had declined to sign a UN declaration seeking an end to such laws.

Pope Francis acknowledged that some Catholic bishops in certain regions still support laws criminalizing homosexuality or discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals, attributing such attitudes to cultural backgrounds. He emphasized the need for bishops to recognize the dignity of everyone.

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