Pope Francis Explains Why Blessings For Same-sex Couples Are “A Special case” For Africans

Pope Francis

“Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups”

Francis told Italian newspaper La Stampa. “A special case are Africans: for them homosexuality is something 'bad' from a cultural point of view, they don't tolerate it.”

With the exception of Africans who are "a special case," Pope Francis has stated he is confident that those who have criticized his decision to grant blessings to same-sex couples will eventually come to understand it.

Pope Francis reportedly stated that Africans view LGBT people negatively from a cultural perspective in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa that was published on Monday.

It would be recalled that blessings were allowed last month in a document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), which has caused widespread debate in the Catholic Church, with particularly strong resistance coming from African bishops. “Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups, Francis told Italian newspaper La Stampa, adding: "A special case are Africans: for them homosexuality is something 'bad' from a cultural point of view, they don't tolerate it.”

But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the “Fiducia Supplicans' declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide,” the pope continued. Already last week, Pope Francis appeared to acknowledge the pushback the document unleashed, especially in Africa, where bishops have effectively rejected it and where in some countries same-sex activity can lead to prison or even the dfath penalty.

He said that when the blessings are given, priests should “naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it.”