Pope comments on the document blessing gay couples
Pope Francis. Photo: CNN
On January 26, 2023, Pope Francis commented on the meaning of the controversial Fiducia Supplicans declaration, which prescribes the blessing of LGBT couples, to members of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Vatican news reports.
According to the Pope, the purpose of "pastoral and spontaneous blessings" is to "concretely show the closeness of the Lord and the Church to all those who, finding themselves in different situations, ask for help to continue—sometimes to begin—a journey of faith."
He stated that these blessings should be "outside of any liturgical context and form" and "do not require moral perfection to be received."
The pontiff also emphasized that "when a couple spontaneously approaches [a minister] and asks for them, he is not blessing the union, but simply the people who together have requested it."
Earlier, the UOJ discussed the Vatican's declaration on blessing gay couples in the article "Vatican and Same-Sex Couples: Do They Bless or Not?"
Read also
Previously unknown sermons of St. Augustine discovered in ancient manuscript
Scholars have confirmed the authenticity of two previously unknown homilies by the great Church Father.
More than 800 anti-Christian incidents reported in France in 2025
France’s Interior Ministry has published a report on a sharp rise in violence against believers.
OCU cleric: Moscow strikes Lavra because OCU is there now
A "priest" of Dumenko's structure believes it is normal to ask God for vengeance against a believer.
Head of “Belarusian Autocephalous Church” prays with OCU in Pyriatyn
The leader of the BAOC, unrecognized in the Orthodox world, Sviatoslav Lohin, held a “joint prayer service” with military chaplains in Poltava Region.
Chief Rabbi discusses religious freedom in Ukraine with State Dept official
The participants discussed attacks on religious buildings and cases of pressure on believers.
Monastic tonsure performed in Khust Eparchy
At the diocesan metochion in the village of Synevyrska Poliana, Bishop Mark of Rakhiv performed the rite of rassophore tonsure.