Pope Francis: "Expressing shock at the blessing of same-sex couples is an act of hypocrisy"
Being shocked by the recent decision of the Catholic Church to authorize the blessing of same-sex couples is "hypocrisy".
The announcement was made by Pope Francis in an interview published on February 7, as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA.
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"No one is scandalized if I offer a blessing to a businessman who may exploit people - and that is a very serious sin", Pope Francis declared in an interview with the Catholic weekly Credere.
"However, they are scandalized if I offer it to a homosexual... This is hypocrisy", added the Vatican leader.
The content of the document "is welcome", said Pope Francis, referring to the instructions issued in December by the Vatican's doctrinal office, allowing Catholic priests to offer "blessings to couples in non-traditional situations and same-sex couples" through a quick and simple procedure, not to be confused with the marriage ritual.
Pope also told the executive editor of the Credere publication, Father Vincenzo Vitale, that he wants the Church to be closer to the people it serves. "People suffer so much, we, the clergy, sometimes live in comfort... It is necessary to see the work, the suffering of the people", he said.
Pope Francis also stated that "it is important" to give women the opportunity to work in the Curia. "Within the Roman Curia, there are currently several women who excel in certain positions, outperforming men", said the leader of the Catholic Church.
Regarding his health issues, including difficulties in walking that sometimes force him to use a wheelchair, Pope Francis said: "The Church is led by the head, not by the feet".
