"Pope Francis Opens Door to Blessings for Gay Couples in Vatican Reversal"

Pope Francis has suggested that there could be ways to bless same-sex unions, marking a reversal from the Vatican's current official position. In a letter to conservative cardinals who challenged him on church teaching regarding homosexuality, Francis stated that pastoral charity required patience and understanding, and priests should not solely deny, reject, or exclude. While he reiterated that matrimony is between a man and a woman, he acknowledged the need for discernment in forms of benediction that do not transmit a mistaken conception of marriage. LGBTQ+ advocates welcomed the pope's openness, seeing it as a step towards greater equality. The cardinals had published their questions ahead of a synod where LGBTQ+ Catholics and their place in the church are on the agenda.