Pope Francis has indicated that blessings for same-sex unions could be explored without conflating them with sacramental marriage, responding to challenges from five conservative cardinals ahead of a significant Vatican meeting. In a letter dated July 11, the Pope acknowledged that pastoral charity requires understanding and patience, urging discernment on whether forms of benediction could convey a “mistaken conception of marriage.” While affirming the traditional view of matrimony, Francis emphasized the need to avoid becoming “judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.” This stance marks a departure from the Vatican’s previous position, potentially signifying a step toward acknowledging LGBTQ+ Catholics within the church.