Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples <br /><br />Pope Francis formally approves letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage. But while the Vatican statement was heralded by some as a step toward breaking down discrimination in the Catholic Church, some LGBTQ+ advocates warned it underscored the church’s idea that gay couples remain inferior to heterosexual partnerships. <br /><br />Photos by AP<br /><br /><br />Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe <br /><br /><br />Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net <br /><br /><br />Follow us: <br />Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook <br />Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram <br />Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter <br />DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion <br /><br /><br />Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital <br /><br /><br />Check out our Podcasts: <br />Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify <br />Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts <br />Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic <br />Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer <br />Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher<br />Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein<br /><br />#TheManilaTimes <br />#tmtnews <br />#vatican<br />#pope <br />#loveislove
