---
title: "Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions"
description: "The Vatican said on Monday in a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular church rituals or liturgies."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PAPAL POLITICS"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-12-18-pope-francis-approves-blessings-for-same-sex-couples-under-certain-conditions/"
published: "2023-12-18T18:40:56"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 176
---

# Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions

> The Vatican said on Monday in a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular church rituals or liturgies.

By Reuters · Published 18 December 2023, 20:40 SAST

## Key points
- The Vatican's latest document signals a move towards a more welcoming church for LGBT people, without changing moral doctrine on same-sex activity.
- Vatican's doctrinal office allows priests to bless same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis.
- Pope Francis hinted at a change in October in response to conservative cardinals.
- Monday's 8-page document spelt out specific situations, including blessings of couples in irregular and same-sex situations.
- Francis has tried to make the Church more welcoming to LGBT people without changing doctrine on same-sex activity.

## Content

A document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office said such blessings would not legitimise irregular situations, but be a sign that God welcomes all.

It said priests should decide on a case-by-case basis and “should not prevent or prohibit the Church’s closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God’s help through a simple blessing”.

The pope hinted that an official change was in the works in October in response to questions put forward by five conservative cardinals at the start of a synod of bishops at the Vatican.

While the response in October was more nuanced, Monday’s eight-page document, whose subtitle is “On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings”, spelt out specific situations.

An 11-page section was titled “Blessings of Couples in Irregular Situations and of Couples of the Same Sex”.

The Catholic Church teaches that same-sex attraction is not sinful, but homosexual acts are.

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has tried to make the 1.3 billion-member Catholic Church more welcoming to LGBT people without changing moral doctrine on same-sex activity. **DM**