Pope says everyone will gradually accept same-sex blessings

Pope Francis’s approval of a declaration allowing Catholic priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples in December was a small – but radical – step towards LGBT+ inclusion for the church. Although the document made it clear that the blessings were not to be confused with a wedding, the declaration was not welcomed warmly by all – particularly in Africa. Earlier this month African bishops stated that the Vatican’s declaration contradicted “the cultural ethos of African communities”. The Pope told the Italian newspaper La Stampa yesterday that the church in Africa was a “special case” of those who have protested the reforms. “For them, homosexuality is something ‘bad’ from a cultural point of view, they don’t tolerate it”, he said. Reminder: Africa is the continent with the highest number of countries (31) which criminalise homosexuality, while also hosting nearly a quarter of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. The Pope said he trusted that “gradually everyone will be reassured” by the “spirit” of the declaration.