Pope Francis has suggested that the Catholic Church may take the unprecedented step of blessing homosexual relationships on a case-by-case basis, putting the Pontiff at odds with many of his own denomination’s doctrines and followers.
Francis made the suggestion in response to five conservative Cardinals, who wrote a letter to the Pope – known as a “Dubia” – demanding clarity on his various progressive stances such as allowing women to assume the priesthood and whether he intended to bless gay relationships.
Pope Francis explained regarding homosexuality that the Catholic clergymen “cannot be judges who only deny, push back, exclude” and, therefore, the clergy must demonstrate “pastoral prudence [to] adequately discern if there are forms of benediction, requested by one or more persons, that do not transmit a mistaken conception of marriage.”
Pope Francis has repeatedly shown his liberalism regarding homosexuality over the past several decades, including his statement “Who am I to judge?” in 2013. He has also voiced his support for homosexual civil unions – a position that often draws criticism from within his own church – though he remains publicly opposed to gay marriage.
The Pope has become more openly political in recent years and is quick to participate in various globalist initiatives, such as sitting down with former President Bill Clinton in September to discuss Europe’s migration crisis and climate change, among other things. He also recently referred to American Catholic conservatives as “backward.”
