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WEKU
Becky Sullivan

Pope Francis approves Catholic blessings for same-sex couples, but not for marriage

Pope Francis has approved some Catholic blessings for same-sex couples, so long as priests avoid confusion with marriage blessings. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Francis has granted his formal approval allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples so long as they do not appear to endorse their marriage, marking the church's most permissive decree yet on the issue of same-sex couples.

The declaration, published Monday in a new document titled "Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings," marks a major departure for the Vatican, which only two years ago had said God "cannot bless sin" in a controversial 2021 decision about same-sex couples. Monday's document was approved by Pope Francis.

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