The Rev. Pfleger plans to bless same-sex couple following pope’s declaration

St. Sabina parishioners Michael Thiry (left) and Nathaniel Washington have asked the Rev. Michael Pfleger to bless their marriage. “He’s important to us,” Washington said of Pfleger. “He is truly a man of God.” (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)

When Pope Francis announced Monday that priests can now bless same-sex couples, it was difficult to say when the first blessings would happen.

But the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church has already received a blessing request for a same-sex couple, and he plans to hold it early in the new year.