Pope Francis made a powerful call to Vatican bureaucrats to avoid rigid ideological positions that prevent them from understanding today's reality. This appeal comes in the wake of his decision to officially allow priests to bless same-sex couples, marking a radical change in Vatican policy. In his annual Christmas greeting to the Holy See hierarchy, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of listening to one another and evolving to truly offer service to the Catholic Church. He urged the Vatican leaders to remain open-minded and committed to advancing and growing in their understanding of the truth.

He cautioned against fearfully sticking to rules that may give the appearance of avoiding problems but ultimately hurt the service the Vatican Curia is called to give the church. Pope Francis' address took place the same week that he formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, as long as such blessings don’t give the impression of a marriage ceremony. This decision reversed a previous policy by the Vatican’s doctrine office, which had barred such blessings on the grounds that God “does not and cannot bless sin."

The approval of same-sex couple blessings has garnered mixed reactions, with progressives and LGBTQ advocates celebrating it as a long-overdue gesture of welcome and acceptance, while conservatives and traditionalists have criticized it as contrary to biblical teachings about homosexuality. During his address, Pope Francis did not specifically mention the decision, keeping his remarks vague and tied to the biblical story of the birth of Christ. He emphasized the importance of listening to one another, discerning decisions, and journeying forward without being tied to preconceived prejudices.

The pope's call for openness and his recent decision regarding same-sex couple blessings have sparked important conversations within the Catholic Church, highlighting the ongoing debate between progressives and conservatives. Ultimately, Pope Francis urged the assembled prelates to embrace courage in moving forward, emphasizing that the true difference lies between lovers and those who have lost their initial passion.