Pope Francis says ‘everyone will calm down’ about same-sex blessings

[mwai_chat context=”Let’s have a discussion about this article:nnVATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a lengthy interview published in an Italian newspaper on Monday (Jan. 29), Pope Francis made his most expansive remarks on the Vatican’s recent declaration allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, dismissing those who oppose the decision as a vocal minority.Conservatives have harshly criticized the declaration on blessings, “Fiducia Supplicans,” issued by the church’s Department for the Doctrine of the Faith in late December. An organization of Catholic bishops in Africa, where homosexuality is in some places persecuted, issued a statement saying that African priests will not be blessing same-sex couples.
But the pope said the African bishops’ objection “is a separate case” due to the culture in many African countries that views homosexuality negatively. “Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups,” he told the Italian daily La Stampa. 
“In general, I trust that everyone will gradually calm down on the spirit of the declaration,” Francis said, “which wishes to include, not divide.” He said several times that everyone should feel welcomed in the church.
“We are all sinners: why then should we write a list of sinners who can enter the church and a list of sinners who cannot stay in the church? This is not …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]