ROME — Pope Francis has formally sanctioned the blessing of same-sex couples, emphasizing in a new Vatican document that individuals seeking God’s love should not face exhaustive moral scrutiny.
Released on Monday by the Vatican’s doctrine office, the document expands on Francis’ earlier communication to conservative cardinals, maintaining that such blessings are permissible under specific conditions that avoid confusion with the sacrament of marriage.
While reiterating the sanctity of traditional marriage between a man and a woman, the document stresses that blessings should not mimic wedding rituals associated with civil unions.
It underscores that requests for blessings should not be outright denied, emphasizing a broader understanding of “blessing” in Scripture as a means to foster trust in God without exhaustive moral analysis.
