ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT, April 23 — Pope Leo indicated he does not intend to expand existing Church guidance on blessings for same-sex couples, warning that further changes could deepen divisions within global Catholicism.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference on his return flight to Rome following a four-nation African tour, the pontiff expressed support for the approach introduced by his predecessor, Pope Francis, in 2023. However, he emphasized that the Vatican is not considering formalizing such blessings beyond current provisions.
“To go beyond that today, I think that the topic can cause more disunity than unity,” Leo said.
Under Francis’ directive, priests were permitted to offer informal, non-liturgical blessings to same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis. The policy sparked debate across the Church, with resistance from bishops in several regions, particularly in parts of Africa, where clergy declined to implement the guidance.
Addressing developments in Germany, Leo referenced proposals by Reinhard Marx to formalize blessings within his jurisdiction. While avoiding direct criticism, the pope reiterated the Vatican’s earlier position cautioning against the creation of official rituals for same-sex unions.
“The Holy See has made it clear that we do not agree with the formalized blessing of couples,” he said.
Leo also underscored that moral discourse within the Church should extend beyond questions of sexual ethics, pointing to broader concerns such as justice, equality, and human freedom.
The Catholic Church maintains its teaching that sexual relations are reserved for heterosexual marriage and calls on individuals with same-sex attraction to live chastely.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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