In a significant development regarding the Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality, Pope Francis has suggested the possibility of blessing same-sex unions. This comes as a response to five conservative cardinals who challenged the Pope to affirm the church's teachings on homosexuality before a crucial meeting that will address LGBTQ+ Catholics' place in the Church. The Vatican recently published a letter written by Pope Francis on July 11 in response to the cardinals' questions, or "dubia." In the letter, the Pope indicates that the Church could explore ways to bless same-sex unions as long as it doesn't confuse such blessings with sacramental marriage.

The organization New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics, lauded the Pope's letter as a significant step forward in making LGBTQ+ Catholics feel welcomed in the Church. They see it as a move towards breaking down the marginalization experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. However, it is important to note that the Vatican maintains its position that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and has historically opposed gay marriage. Nevertheless, Pope Francis has previously expressed support for civil laws that extend legal benefits to same-sex couples. Moreover, Catholic priests in certain parts of Europe have been blessing same-sex unions without facing disciplinary action from the Vatican.

The Pope's response to the cardinals signifies a shift from the Vatican's current official position. In 2021, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith explicitly stated that the Church cannot bless gay unions as "God cannot bless sin." In his recent letter, Pope Francis reiterates that marriage is between a man and a woman. However, he emphasizes the importance of pastoral charity, patience, and understanding. He argues that priests should not be mere judges who deny and reject individuals. Instead, they should discern whether forms of benediction, requested by one or more persons, can help them to live better and express their trust in God's assistance.

Pope Francis acknowledges that some situations are objectively "not morally acceptable." Nevertheless, he believes that pastoral charity requires treating individuals as sinners who may not be entirely at fault for their circumstances. He adds that dioceses and bishops conferences do not need to establish fixed norms or protocols on the matter. The Pope suggests that individual cases can be addressed based on the unique circumstances they present, as the life of the Church operates through channels that go beyond established norms.

The Pope's openness to the possibility of blessing same-gender couples has been welcomed by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like New Ways Ministry. They view this allowance as an acknowledgment that holy love can exist between individuals of the same gender. While it may not meet all the expectations of LGBTQ+ Catholics, they see it as a significant step towards achieving fuller equality within the Church.

The five cardinals, all retired and representing more conservative viewpoints, challenged Pope Francis on issues such as homosexuality, women's ordination, the authority of the Pope, and other matters. They published their letter just before the start of a major three-week synod at the Vatican, during which the role of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the Church will be discussed. The signatories include Cardinals Walter Brandmueller of Germany, a former Vatican historian; Raymond Burke of the United States, who was removed by Pope Francis as head of the Vatican supreme court; Juan Sandoval of Mexico, the retired archbishop of Guadalajara; Robert Sarah of Guinea, the retired head of the Vatican's liturgy office; and Joseph Zen, the retired archbishop of Hong Kong. Notably, Brandmueller and Burke were among the cardinals who sent a previous round of “dubia” to Pope Francis in 2016, expressing concerns about his stance on divorce and remarriage. This time, the cardinals found the Pope's response unsatisfactory and rephrased their questions, asking for a simple yes or no answer. When the Pope did not comply, they decided to publish the texts and issue a notification to the faithful. The Vatican's doctrine office subsequently published Pope Francis's response, though without his initial introduction, in which he encouraged the cardinals not to be afraid of the synod.