Pope Francis suggests for first time some people in same-sex unions could be blessed
Pope Francis has suggested for the first time that some people who are in same-sex unions “may receive the blessing of God”.
The Catholic leader, who was speaking to reporters on a plane from Rome to Lisbon, said that “homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family” and that although the Church’s teaching states that marriage should only be between a man and a woman, “we have to look at different cases and evaluate them in their variety”.
The Pope also encouraged priests to accompany gay and lesbian people and “show them God’s face”, but he did not make a definitive statement on same-sex unions either way.
He said: “It is necessary to look closely to see how are the different cases and evaluate them in their variety.”
The Pope is known for his progressive approach to social issues, and his comments are seen as a sign of openness toward same-sex couples and rides on the heels of his comment in April, when he said that “there are people who have fixed sexual tendencies and for them to live with a lot of security and peace—it is necessary that they have their own rights.”
He also reiterated in the plane talk that the Church should continue to work to “change mentalities” towards LGBT people.
The Roman Catholic Church does not condone same-sex marriage, and the Pope’s comments were only a suggestion of a possible blessing to those involved in such unions and not a change in the Church’s doctrine.