In a March 15 announcement, the Vatican said blessings such as marriage between two people of the same sex are not "permissible" because the church does not allow gay marriage.
According to Reuters, Pope Francis has endorsed the decision, stating that he does not intend this to be a form of unfair discrimination, but rather a "reminder of the truth of the rite".
On the other hand, it was said that gay people are welcome in any religious institution.
In a statement explaining its decision, the CFD (Vatican Doctrine of Faith) said that "there is absolutely no basis for considering homosexual unions in any way similar or analogous to God's plan for marriage and family."
The ruling deviates from Pope Francis's earlier statement that he thinks same-sex couples should be allowed to have civil unions.
In a documentary about his life and work, "Francesco", which premiered at the Rome Film Festival last year, Pope Francis said gay people have the right to be in a family.
"They are children of God and have a right to a family. No one should be thrown out or become miserable because of it. What we need to create is a law of civil union. That way they are legally covered. ", he added.
However, his position on whether he believes same-sex unions should be blessed was not entirely clear. He also said he believes marriage between a man and a woman is "completely different" from a union between same-sex couples.
The latest ruling will undoubtedly face reactions from civil rights groups who had welcomed the Pope's previous comments.
Source: Unilad
