In a report by Fox News, Pope Francis clarified the Catholic Church’s stance on same-sex couples, stating that while he permits individual blessings, he does not condone same-sex unions.
He emphasized that the Church views marriage as a sacred bond between a man and a woman, which is indissoluble.
During an interview with “60 Minutes,” Pope Francis was questioned about the apparent shift in Vatican policy regarding same-sex couples. He clarified that his approval of blessings for Catholics in same-sex unions was based on the understanding that these blessings do not equate to the sacrament of marriage.
He said, “No, what I allowed was not to bless the union. That cannot be done because that is not the sacrament. I cannot. The Lord made it that way. But to bless each person, yes. The blessing is for everyone. For everyone. To bless a homosexual-type union, however, goes against the given right, against the law of the Church. But to bless each person, why not? The blessing is for all. Some people were scandalized by this. But why? Everyone! Everyone!”
It’s worth noting that in 2023, Pope Francis sent a letter to two conservative cardinals suggesting that blessings could be offered under certain circumstances, provided that the individuals receiving the blessing do not confuse it with the sacrament of marriage.
While some Catholic bishops worldwide have pushed back against this idea, traditional Catholics in the US have also criticized Pope Francis’ remarks.
