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Posted on 04/24/2026 9:22:35 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Pope Leo XIV clarified April 23 that the Vatican does not support formalized blessing ceremonies for people in same-sex relationships, responding to a question about German Cardinal Reinhard Marx’s plan to introduce such rituals in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.
The Pope’s remarks came during an in-flight press conference while returning to Rome after his 11-day apostolic journey across Africa.
Asked by a German reporter about Cardinal Marx’s decision, Pope Leo said the Vatican “has made it clear that we do not agree with the formalized blessing of couples, in this case, ‘homosexual couples,’ as you asked, or couples in irregular situations, beyond what was specifically, if you will, allowed for by Pope Francis in saying all people receive blessings.”
Pope Leo added that the Holy See has already addressed the issue with the German bishops.
His comments followed a controversial directive that Cardinal Marx sent to priests and pastoral staff in his archdiocese to use a handout titled “Blessing Gives Strength to Love” as a framework for pastoral care. According to an unofficial translation, the guide outlines structured approaches for blessing divorced and remarried individuals, people in same-sex relationships, and others who have not entered sacramental marriage.
Cardinal Marx also said in a letter that the archdiocese would begin training programs in June to implement the guidance, according to an unofficial translation of a report from the German outlet Die Tagespost.
During the April 23 exchange, Pope Leo also cautioned against focusing too much on issues of sexual morality.
“We tend to think that when the Church is talking about morality, that the only issue of morality is sexual,” he said. “And in reality, I believe there are much greater, more important issues, such as justice, equality, freedom of men and women, freedom of religion, that would all take priority before that particular issue.”
At the same time, the Holy Father emphasized that blessings offered at the end of Mass or papal celebrations are intended for all people.
He added that Pope Francis’ well-known expression ‘‘Tutti, tutti, tutti” — meaning “everyone, everyone, everyone” — is meant to underscore “the Church’s belief that all are welcome; all are invited; all are invited to follow Jesus, and all are invited to look for conversion in their lives.”
“To go beyond that today, I think that the topic can cause more disunity than unity, and that we should look for ways to build our unity upon Jesus Christ and what Jesus Christ teaches,” Pope Leo concluded. “So that’s how I would respond to that question.”
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Make your mind up, Pope Leo!
Just like with Francis, Pope Leo flips back and forth on this kind of topic. Maybe the goal, the tactic, is to remain somewhat
unpredictable on controversial subjects, hard to pin down.
This pathological, bizarre embrace of homosexuality by the hierarchy is alienating faithful Catholics from the Church. Its a legitimate question to ask what percentage of the Western hierarchy, especially those surrounding and influencing the Pope are themselves gay and agnostic.
He is a politician and is now facing the test. He strongly hates and despises Trump and us, his supporters, and has done so beginning years ago.
But like his American counterpart Mamdani (recently booed in public by leftists), he can’t champion both sides of every issue. Has to have courage and integrity, which I personally believe he lacks.
He has alienated Trump supporters and now is angering the leftists in his political base.
He likes the cheers of his lowly subjects but may end up retreating for more alone time someday like Brother Lawrence who wrote The Practice of the Presence of God.
Well, in all fairness, a clock is right two times a day.
Just 1 step too far for pope commie?
But will Pope Leo excommunicate Cardinal Marx for his outright disobedience?
Here is the relevant language: “Pope Leo said the Vatican “has made it clear that we do not agree with the formalized blessing of couples, in this case, ‘homosexual couples,’ as you asked, or couples in irregular situations, beyond what was specifically, if you will, allowed for by Pope Francis in saying all people receive blessings.”
Pope Leo added that the Holy See has already addressed the issue with the German bishops.”
This is the same thing Pope Francis said. Why aren’t you applauding Pope Leo, ebby? NO formalizing of the couples’ irregular status. That should tickle you - it goes against the myriad or articles that lied and said the opposite - many of which you posted on FR.
I say what Pope Leo is stating and investigating is a good reflection as to what is the Vatican stance. Who knows if it merits excommunication.
Really? I thought he was so anti-Trump that he was all-in on this sexual perversion stuff.
Frankencardinals McElroy, Gregory, Cupich and Tobin have all permitted pro-abort politicians to receive Holy Communinon in their archdioceses. According to canon law those who permit or administer Holy Communion to souls in a state of mortal sin incur latae sententiae excommunication.
Yet all those perverts are in "full communion" with a sick, synodal church.
You two can't apply to canon law to some; but not to others. You're just a couple of hypocrites.
How about informal blessings of abortionists, child rapists, etc., as long as they're not "formal" blessings?
No, you like to mix irrelevant, unrelated subjects together hoping for a result that is of your own desires; neither the world nor the Catholic Church works that way but nice try. It is not a game of politics or Us vs Them.
Or keep shaking that fist at the sky, ebby; but maybe don’t swallow the remnant of your cartoon network hook, line and stinker. They don’t promote the truth of the Catholic Church, facts, cannon law or history in an honest light, and, therefore their predetermined result is always false. We’ll keep the lights on and keep praying for you.
That’s your problem. You’re more concerned with the world and it’s slave, the synodal “church, than you are with the Catholic Church.
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