(Cupventi.com) – In a rare and candid interview, Pope Francis discussed his nuanced stance on blessing same-sex couples, distinguishing between blessing individuals and endorsing same-sex unions.
Speaking on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” the Pope addressed perceptions of a shift in Vatican policy after he approved blessings for Catholics in same-sex relationships. The Catholic Church traditionally views marriage as an unbreakable union between a man and a woman.
Anchor Norah O’Donnell questioned the Pope on this apparent policy change. “Last year you decided to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. That’s a big change. Why?” she asked.
Pope Francis clarified his position, emphasizing, “No, what I allowed was not to bless the union. That cannot be done because that is not the sacrament. I cannot. The Lord made it that way. But to bless each person, yes. The blessing is for everyone. For everyone. To bless a homosexual-type union, however, goes against the given right, against the law of the Church. But to bless each person, why not? The blessing is for all. Some people were scandalized by this. But why? Everyone! Everyone!”
The Pope’s remarks come after he wrote to two conservative cardinals in October, indicating that blessings could be offered to individuals in same-sex relationships under certain conditions, provided the blessing was not confused with the sacrament of marriage. Initial media reports misinterpreted this as the Church endorsing same-sex marriage, but the Pope’s intent was to emphasize the worthiness of all people for blessings.
According to the Church Catechism, a blessing is “a prayer invoking God’s power and care upon some person, place, thing, or undertaking.”
This development was met with mixed reactions globally. Some gay Catholics welcomed it, seeing it as a positive step after feeling marginalized by the Church. Conversely, some Catholic bishops and traditionalists, particularly in the U.S., criticized the Pope’s stance.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released guidance following the publication of “Fiducia supplicans,” a document that approved pastoral blessings for remarried individuals and those in same-sex relationships under specific conditions. The guidance emphasized that the Church’s teaching on marriage remains unchanged.
Last year, Pope Francis condemned the criminalization of homosexuality worldwide, labeling it a sin but not a crime. When O’Donnell referenced his past comments on homosexuality, the Pope responded, “It is a human fact.”
Addressing criticism from conservative bishops in the U.S., O’Donnell asked, “There are conservative bishops in the United States that oppose your new efforts to revisit teachings and traditions. How do you address their criticism?”
Pope Francis responded, “You used an adjective, ‘conservative.’ That is, conservative is one who clings to something and does not want to see beyond that. It is a suicidal attitude. Because one thing is to take tradition into account, to consider situations from the past, but quite another is to be closed up inside a dogmatic box.”
Since becoming Pope in 2013, Francis has been known for his progressive views on social issues and his efforts to reform the Church, especially in light of its sexual abuse scandals. His interviews are rare, making his statements on such sensitive topics particularly significant.