Pope Francis on Thursday warned against inflexible ideological positions that could prevent the Church from seeing reality and progress, days after he approved a declaration allowing blessings for same-sex couples, a decision criticized by conservatives and Agerpres.

The sovereign pontiff, who turned 87 on Sunday, made the comments during a traditional greeting to members of the Curia, the Vatican’s central administration.

During the first years of his pontificate, Pope Francis sharply criticized bureaucracy during his Christmas greetings, which he associated with “suffering” and “disease”.

On Thursday, he recalled the ongoing debate between progressives and conservatives that continues 60 years after the Second Vatican Council, which has guided the Church in the modern world.

“Let’s remain vigilant against rigid ideological positions that, often masquerading as good intentions, separate us from reality and prevent us from progressing,” he said.

“Instead, we are called to set out and travel like magi, following the light that always wants to guide us, sometimes along uncharted paths and new roads,” he said.

“Christians should always be open to change”

On Monday, Pope Francis approved a decree allowing priests to bless same-sex couples under certain conditions and as long as the blessings do not resemble marriage and are not part of the Church’s regular rituals or liturgies.

While the Pope’s openness to blessing same-sex couples was welcomed by many, conservative voices said it could shake the foundations of the faith and cause a split within the Church.

Since his election by the Consortium of Cardinals 10 years ago, Pope Francis has set out to make the Church a more welcoming place for people who feel excluded, such as members of the LGBT community, without changing any part of the Church’s teaching on moral topics. .

Pope Francis said during the meeting on Thursday that Christians should always be tireless and open to change.

“The Christian faith, let’s not forget, should not confirm our sense of security, allow us to settle in comfortable religious certainties and offer us quick answers to complex life problems,” he said.

Pope Francis said that when God calls us, “He sends us on a journey, He takes us out of our comfort zone, out of complacency with what we have already achieved, and in this way He sets us free.”

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