Everyone will gradually accept blessings for same-sex couples – Pope Francis

Pope Francis has expressed confidence that those critical of his decision to permit blessings for same-sex couples will eventually come to understand it, except for Africans, whom he referred to as a “special case.” In an interview with Italian newspaper La Stampa, the Pope acknowledged that Africans perceive homosexuality negatively from a cultural perspective, stating, “For them, homosexuality is something bad from a cultural point of view, they don’t tolerate it.”

The Vatican’s document titled “Fiducia Supplicans” (Supplicating Trust), issued last month, allowing blessings for same-sex couples, has sparked widespread debate in the Catholic Church and globally. However, the Vatican clarified that these blessings should not be incorporated into regular church ceremonies or linked to civil unions or weddings, maintaining the traditional view of marriage as between a man and a woman.

Pope Francis acknowledged the resistance the document generated, especially in Africa, where same-sex activity can lead to severe consequences. He emphasized that when blessings are given, priests should “naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it.”

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has announced that Catholic churches within the country will not perform blessings for same-sex unions, citing that it goes against God’s law, the teachings of the Church, the laws of the nation, and the cultural sensibilities of the people.

The Pope’s statement comes amid ongoing discussions and differing views within the Catholic Church on matters related to LGBTQ+ rights and same-sex relationships.