Pope Leo XIV Continues Blessings of Same-Sex Partners

Pope Leo XIV Continues Blessings for Same-Sex Partners: A Step Toward Inclusion or a Divisive Stance?

In a move that has sparked both hope and controversy, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, has signaled his intention to uphold the Catholic Church’s policy of allowing priests to bless individuals in same-sex relationships, a practice initiated by his predecessor, Pope Francis. This decision, rooted in the 2023 Vatican document Fiducia Supplicans, marks a significant moment in the Church’s ongoing navigation of its relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. While the policy does not endorse same-sex marriage, it extends pastoral care to individuals in “irregular” relationships, prompting varied reactions from Catholics worldwide. This blog post explores the context, implications, and reactions to Pope Leo XIV’s decision, grounded in recent developments and Vatican statements. The Context: Fiducia Supplicans and Pope Francis’ Legacy In December 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, under Pope Francis, released Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings. This document, co-signed by Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández and Monsignor Armando Matteo, permitted priests to offer non-liturgical blessings to individuals in same-sex relationships or other “irregular” situations, such as divorced and remarried couples. The document emphasized that these blessings are not endorsements of the relationships themselves but rather acts of pastoral care for individuals seeking God’s grace. It states that such blessings are for those who “recognize themselves to be destitute and in need of [God’s] help [and] do not claim a legitimation of their own status” (Fiducia Supplicans, quoted in Them, July 9, 2025).[](https://www.them.us/story/pope-leo-francis-same-sex-blessings-policy) This policy was a groundbreaking shift, as it marked the first time the Vatican formally allowed blessings for same-sex couples, albeit with strict qualifications. Pope Francis clarified that the Church does not bless same-sex unions as marriages, maintaining the traditional doctrine that marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman. Despite this distinction, the decision faced significant backlash from conservative factions within the Church, particularly from African bishops and traditionalist groups, who viewed it as a step toward legitimizing same-sex relationships.[](https://www.metroweekly.com/2025/07/pope-leo-same-sex-blessings/) Pope Leo XIV’s Continuation of the Policy Following Pope Francis’ death in April 2025 and the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, speculation arose about whether the new pontiff would reverse Fiducia Supplicans. As a Chicago-born cardinal with a reputation for a more conservative theological stance, some expected Leo XIV to align with traditionalist critics. However, in a brief interview on July 3, 2025, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, confirmed that the policy would remain under Leo XIV’s papacy. When asked by Il Messaggero if the blessings would be revoked, Fernández, who had recently met with the pope, responded, “I really don’t think so — the declaration will remain” (*Metro Weekly*, July 12, 2025).[](https://www.metroweekly.com/2025/07/pope-leo-same-sex-blessings/)[](https://www.outinperth.com/indications-blessings-of-same-sex-unions-will-remain-under-pope-leo-xiv/) This decision was further corroborated by multiple sources. The National Catholic Reporter noted that Fernández’s remarks were the “clearest indication to date” of Pope Leo XIV’s intent to maintain the policy, though they fell short of an official Vatican statement (*NCR*, July 7, 2025). Similarly, LGBTQ Nation reported that Fernández dismissed suggestions that Leo XIV would halt the blessings, emphasizing that the blessings apply to “the persons, naturally taking into account the context, sensitivities, the places where one lives, and the most appropriate ways to do it” (*LGBTQ Nation*, July 9, 2025).[](https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/gay-blessings-will-remain-under-pope-leo-vatican-doctrine-chief-says)[](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/pope-leo-will-bless-same-unions-despite-having-once-decried-the-homosexual-lifestyle/) Pope Leo XIV’s Complex Stance Pope Leo XIV’s decision to continue the blessings is notable given his past statements. In 2012, as Bishop Robert Prevost, he criticized the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families” formed by same-sex couples, according to resurfaced remarks cited by *The New York Times* (*derechadiario.com.ar*, July 7, 2025). These comments have fueled concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates that his support for blessings may be a pragmatic continuation of Francis’ policy rather than a genuine shift toward inclusivity. However, in 2023, when asked if his views had evolved, Prevost acknowledged Pope Francis’ call for a more inclusive Church, stating that Francis “made it very clear that he doesn’t want people to be excluded simply on the basis of choices that they make” (*LGBTQ Nation*, July 9, 2025).[](https://derechadiario.com.ar/us/argentina/pope-leo-xiv-marriage-is-only-possible-between-a-man-and-a-woman)[](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/pope-leo-will-bless-same-unions-despite-having-once-decried-the-homosexual-lifestyle/) This duality reflects Leo XIV’s delicate balancing act. He has reaffirmed the Church’s traditional teaching that marriage is “only possible between a man and a woman,” as stated in a July 2025 declaration that sparked widespread debate (*County Local News*, July 7, 2025). Yet, his decision to uphold Fiducia Supplicans suggests a willingness to engage with modern pastoral realities, even if it does not extend to endorsing same-sex marriage.[](https://countylocalnews.com/2025/07/07/breaking-pope-leo-xiv-declares-marriage-can-only-be-between-a-man-and-a-woman-sparking-outrage-and-debate-papal-declaration-on-marriage-traditional-marriage-definition-religious-sta/) Reactions: Support, Criticism, and Polarization The decision to continue blessings for same-sex partners has elicited a spectrum of reactions. Progressive Catholics and LGBTQ+ advocates have welcomed the move as a sign of continuity with Pope Francis’ more inclusive approach. Posts on X from organizations like EdgewaterPCUSA and lgbtchi celebrated the decision, noting its significance for both Catholics and Protestants, given the pope’s global influence as a Christian leader (*X posts*, July 9, 2025). Human rights activist Peter Tatchell acknowledged the continuation of blessings but highlighted Leo XIV’s opposition to same-sex marriage, underscoring the policy’s limitations (*X post*, July 9, 2025). Conversely, conservative Catholics have expressed disappointment. Some traditionalist voices on X, such as BigModernism, lamented that Leo XIV’s decision represents a continuation of what they call the “lavender revolution,” accusing the Vatican of misleading claims about reform (*X post*, July 6, 2025). Critics argue that the blessings, even if limited to individuals, blur the lines of Church teaching on marriage and could lead to further liberalization. African bishops, who were vocal critics of Fiducia Supplicans, have continued to express unease, prompting the Vatican to clarify that the blessings are not endorsements of same-sex unions (*Metro Weekly*, July 12, 2025).[](https://www.metroweekly.com/2025/07/pope-leo-same-sex-blessings/) Implications for the Church and Beyond Pope Leo XIV’s decision to maintain the blessings policy reflects a broader tension within the Catholic Church: how to remain faithful to traditional doctrine while responding to a world where attitudes toward same-sex relationships are increasingly accepting. The policy allows the Church to extend pastoral care without altering its sacramental theology, but it also risks alienating both progressive and conservative factions. For LGBTQ+ Catholics, the continuation of blessings offers a measure of inclusion, yet the Church’s firm stance against same-sex marriage may leave many feeling that true equality remains out of reach (*Outreach*, July 8, 2025).[](https://outreach.faith/2025/07/why-did-the-vaticans-doctrine-chief-recently-weigh-in-on-the-2023-same-sex-blessings-decree/) Globally, the decision has implications for the Church’s influence in regions with varying cultural attitudes toward homosexuality. In Western countries, where same-sex marriage is widely recognized, the blessings may be seen as a modest step forward. In contrast, in regions like Africa, where conservative values dominate, the policy could deepen divisions among bishops and laity. The Vatican’s careful framing—emphasizing that blessings are for individuals, not unions—aims to mitigate this tension, but it may not fully satisfy either side. Looking Ahead As Pope Leo XIV navigates his papacy, his approach to LGBTQ+ issues will likely remain a focal point. His appointment of figures like Cardinal Arthur Roche, who supported *Fiducia Supplicans*, to key Vatican roles suggests a commitment to continuity in some areas (*vaticancatholic.com*, June 26, 2025). However, his conservative leanings and past statements indicate that significant reforms, such as recognizing same-sex marriages, are unlikely.[](https://vaticancatholic.com/pope-leo-appoints-cardinal-roche-same-sex-blessing-supporters-to-dicastery-for-consecrated-life) The continuation of blessings for same-sex partners is a testament to the Church’s attempt to balance tradition and modernity. For some, it represents a hopeful gesture of inclusion; for others, it’s a compromise that falls short of justice or fidelity to doctrine. As debates unfold, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership will be tested by the challenge of uniting a diverse global Church while addressing the pastoral needs of all its members. Sources: - *Metro Weekly*, July 12, 2025[](https://www.metroweekly.com/2025/07/pope-leo-same-sex-blessings/)

- *Them*, July 9, 2025[](https://www.them.us/story/pope-leo-francis-same-sex-blessings-policy)

- *LGBTQ Nation*, July 9, 2025[](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/pope-leo-will-bless-same-unions-despite-having-once-decried-the-homosexual-lifestyle/)

- *National Catholic Reporter*, July 7, 2025[](https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/gay-blessings-will-remain-under-pope-leo-vatican-doctrine-chief-says)

- *Out in Perth*, July 8, 2025[](https://www.outinperth.com/indications-blessings-of-same-sex-unions-will-remain-under-pope-leo-xiv/)

- *County Local News*, July 7, 2025[](https://countylocalnews.com/2025/07/07/breaking-pope-leo-xiv-declares-marriage-can-only-be-between-a-man-and-a-woman-sparking-outrage-and-debate-papal-declaration-on-marriage-traditional-marriage-definition-religious-sta/)

- *derechadiario.com.ar*, July 7, 2025[](https://derechadiario.com.ar/us/argentina/pope-leo-xiv-marriage-is-only-possible-between-a-man-and-a-woman)

- *Outreach*, July 8, 2025[](https://outreach.faith/2025/07/why-did-the-vaticans-doctrine-chief-recently-weigh-in-on-the-2023-same-sex-blessings-decree/)

- *vaticancatholic.com*, June 26, 2025[](https://vaticancatholic.com/pope-leo-appoints-cardinal-roche-same-sex-blessing-supporters-to-dicastery-for-consecrated-life) - Various posts on X, July 5-9, 2025