Pope Francis approved the blessing of same-sex marriages by Roman Catholic priests in a new landmark ruling, the Vatican announced on Monday.
A report from the Vatican’s doctrinal office said that priests would be permitted to bless same-sex marriages but added that it should be under certain circumstances.
The report read: “It will be possible to bless same-sex couples but without any type of ritualisation or offering the impression of a marriage."
“The doctrine regarding marriage does not change, and the blessing does not signify approval of the union."
It added that it this ruling should not be confused with the sacrament of marriage between a man and a woman.
The report 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.”
This ruling marks as a significant shift from the Vatican’s previous view on same-sex marriages. In 2021 the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith stated that the Catholic church could not bless same-sex couples as God “cannot bless sin."
Francis removed the official responsible for the document at the time after it received public outcry.
He has been known for his attempts to make the church more welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community since his election in 2013. In 2020 he showed support for same-sex civil union, stating that “homosexual people have a right to be in a family.”
Father James Martin, an American Jesuit priest who advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, said the new ruling was “a major step forward in the church’s ministry.”
In a post on X, he said: “As a priest I look forward to blessing same-sex couples, sharing with them the graces that God desires for everyone, something I’ve waited years to do."
