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Pope Francis has raised the possibility of the Catholic Church blessing same-sex unions. The Vatican's previous stance in 2021 was against such blessings, citing that God "cannot bless sin." However, in a letter to cardinals, the Pope emphasized "pastoral charity" and suggested the Church could offer blessings to individuals in same-sex unions while maintaining its definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
The Pope's nuanced approach aims to address the pastoral needs of same-sex couples and extend understanding and support without changing the Church's traditional teachings on homosexuality. The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria chose to remain silent on the matter, while an official from the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria noted that the Pope's comments aligned with his previous calls for a more inclusive and merciful church. The Pope's stance signifies a shift away from an exclusive focus on denial, rejection, and exclusion regarding same-sex relationships.
