Pope and gay marriage

What Pope Francis said about controversial issues from queer rights to immigration

Pope Francis, one of the more progressive pontiff's in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday morning at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed.

Francis’ willingness to take a more evolving stance on issues from LGBTQ rights to lgbtq+ marriage to immigration produce him one of the most progressive and powerful popes of the latest era.

Here are memorable moments from Francis' time where he voiced his judgments on those topics.

Francis' stance on members of the LGBTQ community

In December , Francis formally signed off on allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, he said in a declaration released by the Vatican's office.

The declaration stated, "When people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it. For those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection."

"A blessing proposals people a means to increase their trust in God. The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy and the closeness to G

Seven Quotes That Produce Pope Francis Complicated for LGBTQ+ People

Francis' tenure as pope has also been notable by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) society for his adoption of a more conciliatory tone toward LGBTQ+ people than that of his predecessors. "But anyone who utters Christian words without putting them into practice hurts oneself and others," said Pope Francis in

So where does Pope Francis stand on LGBTQ+ people?

ON INCLUSION

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"If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?"

Let's start off with one of the most determinative moments in Francis' papacy for LGBTQ+ people. When asked about gay priests during a spontaneous exchange with the press, he responded, "If they [gay priests] accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to assess them? They shouldn't be marginalized. The tendency [same-sex attraction] is not the problem they're our brothers."¹

The fact that Pope Francis made such a comment – and used the word "gay" in English – was radical, and helped propel significant conversations in parishes and dioceses on LGBTQ+ equality to this day. But more importantly, his comment position the tone and approach to t

Vatican approves blessings for lgbtq+ couples in landmark judgment for LGBTQ Catholics

Roman Catholic priests will be fit to bless same-sex couples, as long as the blessings are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, under a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis.

Key points:

The Catholic Church teaches that gay attraction is not sinful but homosexual acts are
The church previously barred lgbtq+ couples from receiving blessings in a ruling, saying God 'cannot bless sin'
The Vatican now says priests should decide whether to consecrate same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis

A document from the Vatican's doctrinal office, which effectively reversed a declaration the same body had issued in , said such blessings would not legitimise "irregular situations" but be a signal that God welcomes all.

Blessings should in no way be confused with the sacrament of heterosexual marriage, the document said.

It said priests should decide on a case-by-case basis and "should not prevent or prohibit the church's closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God's assist through a simple blessing".

The pope hinte

Pope Francis allows blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions

The Vatican has approved a landmark ruling to allow Roman Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples as elongated as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, nor given in contexts akin to civil unions or weddings.

A document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office approved by Pope Francis on Monday said such blessings would not legitimise irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomes all.

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The document backed “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex” but “this blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them”.

It said priests should decide on a case-by-case basis and “should not