Status: 15.01.2024, 14:53 PM
By: Richard Strobl
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Pope Francis has once again commented on the blessing of homosexual couples on Italian television. In doing so, he became clear – but also showed a personal side.
Rome – The Catholic Church is seething. The trigger is the Vatican declaration "Fiducia supplicans" (in German: "The pleading trust"). For the first time, this gives priests the opportunity to bless unmarried, remarried and homosexual couples. Bishops around the world are extremely divided. Now Pope Francis himself has once again spoken out on the subject.
When making decisions, "there is a price of loneliness that you have to pay," Francis said Sunday evening on the Italian talk show "Che Tempo Che Fa" when asked if he felt lonely as a result of the "Fiducia Supplicans."
Pope Francis in the talk show "Che Tempo Che Fa" on the Italian TV channel Nove. © Screenshot: Che Tempo Che Fa
Pope Francis speaks on TV about loneliness after blessing decision
"Sometimes decisions are not accepted. But most of the time you don't accept decisions because you don't know something," the Pope continued. He called on critics of the Vatican's decision to engage in dialogue and start a "fraternal discussion." This is the only way to move things forward.
On the other hand, people who "take the resistance into their hearts" and do not engage in conversation "may draw ugly conclusions." Then the Pope becomes very clear: "This is what happened in these recent decisions on the blessings for all."
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The Church must bless all people and also promote a dialogue with these people – and not "condemn them from the beginning". This is the "pastoral work of the Church," said Francis, who had just fallen ill again. "The Lord blesses all. All those who come," the Pope continued.
At the same time, he also made it clear that this blessing must be followed by dialogue. "People need to deal with the Lord's blessing and see what the path is that the Lord is proposing for them." In order to start and advance a dialogue, however, a priest must first "forgive everyone," the Pope calls for openness in the interview.
After the Vatican's declaration "Fiducia Supplicans", there had been a lot of support for the decision, especially on the part of German, French and Belgian bishops. Eastern European, Asian and Latin American bishops, on the other hand, voiced harsh criticism.
The African bishops were particularly radical. This was also done against the background that homosexuality is prosecuted in some African countries. After the criticism, the Pope's confidant and co-author of the declaration, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, had already spoken a word of authority.