The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has stated that he is confident critics of his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples will eventually understand it, except for Africans who he described as “a special case.”
Pope Francis in an interview with Italian newspaper La Stampa published on Monday, acknowledged the widespread debate within the Catholic Church over the recent document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), which allowed blessings for same-sex couples.
The decision faced strong resistance, particularly from African bishops.
“Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups. A special case are Africans: for them, homosexuality is something ‘bad’ from a cultural point of view, they don’t tolerate it,” the Pope stated.
Despite the opposition, Pope Francis expressed his trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the declaration, emphasizing that it aims to include, not divide.
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Last week, he acknowledged the pushback, especially in Africa, where bishops have effectively rejected the document, and where same-sex activity can lead to legal consequences, including imprisonment or the death penalty.
When discussing the blessings for same-sex couples, Pope Francis mentioned that priests should “naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives, and the most appropriate ways to do it.”
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