[skimbell]

It looks to me as though the Pope got it right this time. He said in no uncertain terms that marriage is and will remain a sacrament between a man and a woman.
He also said that priests were allowed to bless a same sex couple if there was no confusion that it was in no way a marriage.
Sounds like Catholic Church SOP.
I went through the Catholic school system in the mid 50’s-early 70’s. I participated in athletics from grade school through college and seeing a priest running around a locker room was not uncommon.
I really didn't pay much attention to it but I know that before every game a priest was on hand to say a prayer for the all male team and to give them a blessing.
A blessing is just a blessing. It isn't even close to the marriage sacrament, and that difference is probably going to give Francis a real headache with the BLTGMNOP types.

[Oystir]

People can actually read what the Pope/Vatican said: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-12/fiducia-supplicans-doctrine-faith-blessing-irregular-couples.html

[tinamina]

Go ask someone who left the Episcopal church to be an Anglican what happened? Some of them even left and joined the Catholic Church thinking It would never happen there. I think the Orthodox Church is the only real liturgical Church left.