Pope Francis Says Priests Can Now Bless Same-Sex Couples—With Some Caveats

Pope Francis said Monday that he’s given the OK for Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples—a radical shift in the church’s treatment of LGBTQ Catholics.

Previously, the Vatican said it would not bless same-sex couples because doing so would undermine a church doctrine that says marriage must be between a man and a woman. Monday’s update doesn’t change that doctrine but gives individual priests the OK to bless same-sex couples so long as it doesn’t occur during regular church rituals or liturgies.

Priests will still have the individual freedom to determine if they want to bless a same-sex couple or not, the document said, adding that people should not confuse this ritual with the sacrament of marriage.

Read more at The Daily Beast.