Timeline – Pope Francis’ LGBT+ views, as Vatican opposes same-sex blessings
RACHEL SAVAGE THE Vatican said on Monday that priests cannot bless same-sex unions, disappointing LGBT+ Catholics who had hoped that the Church was becoming more open under Pope Francis, who has previously said he could not judge gay people. The ruling was issued by the Vatican's doctrinal office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in response to questions from a number of dioceses as to whether ministers were allowed to bless same-sex unions. In some countries, including the United States and Germany, parishes and ministers had begun giving blessings, in lieu of marriage, which had alarmed conservatives in…