Pope Defends Blessings of Couples in ‘Irregular Situations’

Aware of the mixed global reaction and, it seems, also of the discussion in the plenary assembly, Francis spoke about “Fiducia Supplicans,” effectively offering a defense of the text in a way reminiscent of what John Paul II did in the year 2000 after the publication of “Dominus Jesus,” which was the last declaration of this kind to come from that same dicastery (then called congregation). “Dominus Jesus” was published by the congregation when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was prefect, and it too received a mixed reception, hence John Paul II’s defense of it. Today, Pope Francis spoke about the recent declaration in “the context of evangelization.” He explained that “the intention of ‘the pastoral and spontaneous blessings’ is to show concretely the closeness of the Lord and of the church to all those who, finding themselves in different situations, ask help to continue—sometimes to begin—a journey of faith.”