Pope Leo rejects German cardinal’s formalized blessings for people in same-sex unions

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.”