Vatican and German Bishops Continue Discussion on Formal Blessings for Same-Sex Couples

The discussion between the Vatican and German Catholic bishops regarding the blessing of same-sex couples has entered a new phase. Pope Leo XIV confirmed that the Holy See does not approve of official ceremonies for such unions, but the Vatican has so far refrained from imposing sanctions against the German clergy.

The conflict escalated after Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, urged priests in his archdiocese to conduct structured blessings for same-sex couples. In April 2025, the German Episcopal Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics officially approved a guideline titled “Blessing Strengthens Love.” The document was based on the Synodal Path reform process in Germany and the 2023 Vatican declaration Fiducia Supplicans , which permitted informal blessings for same-sex couples under specific conditions.

In April 2026, while returning from a trip to Africa, Pope Leo XIV commented on Cardinal Marx’s decision. The pontiff stated that church unity or division should not revolve around sexual issues and called for a shift in focus toward themes of justice, equality, and freedom. However, he emphasized Rome’s position: the Holy See opposes formalized blessings for homosexual couples that go beyond what Pope Francis previously permitted. According to Leo XIV, such practices could lead “to more disunity than unity.”

The Vatican had previously criticized the actions of the German church. In November 2024, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, sent a letter to Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier and the German Catholic leadership. The document stated that the church cannot give a liturgical blessing in a way that legitimizes a union claiming the status of marriage. The Vatican expressed dissatisfaction that the German bishops’ guidelines mentioned location, aesthetics, and music, which gives the blessings a ceremonial character contrary to the prescriptions of Fiducia Supplicans. The letter was published only in early May 2026.

Despite the disagreements, the Vatican seeks to maintain dialogue. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, called talks of sanctions against German priests “premature” and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution. Pope Leo XIV also held a meeting with Cardinal Marx, who, despite criticism from Rome, continues to recommend that his priests use the German guidelines for pastoral care.