The Vatican released a statement from Pope Francis approving Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples on Dec. 18, 2023, according to apnews.com.

In this statement, the Pope said that blessings could be offered under certain circumstances, as long as it was not confused with the ritual of marriage. The blessings cannot be tied to a specific Catholic celebration or service and should not take place at the same time as a civil union ceremony. Additionally, it cannot involve any clothes and gestures that are typical in a wedding. The document offers a broad definition of the term “blessing” to insist that anyone seeking a relationship with God should not be held back by a standard, according to apnews.com.

The document still states that marriage is a union between a man and a woman; however, this authorization has made a significant step towards the acceptance of LGBTQ+ Catholics.

“The significance of this news cannot be overstated,” executive director of New Ways Ministry Francis DeBernardo said, according to apnews.com. “It is one thing to formally approve same-gender blessings, which he had already pastorally permitted, but to say that people should not be subjected to ‘an exhaustive moral analysis’ to receive God’s love and mercy is an even more significant step.”

Following the announcement, there has been pushback from bishops including ones in Africa and Poland, stating that they would not implement this policy and claiming it is heretical, meaning it is a belief contrary to the orthodox religious doctrine, according to nbcnews.com.

Despite this, the Vatican defended the Pope’s decision, stating that there was nothing heretical involved. Additionally, the statement said it was vital for other bishops to not support a doctrine that is different from the one by the pope, according to nbcnews.com.