Pope Francis opened a major congress on the Catholic Church's future Wednesday, vowing open doors to"everyone" despite tensions with conservatives on issues from LGBTQ faithful to the treatment of divorcees.
"The Church is here for you! The Church of open doors is for everyone, everyone, everyone," said the 86-year-old at a large mass in St Peter's Square. However, he said the intention was not to carry out"a parliamentary meeting or a plan of reformation. No. We are here to walk together with the gaze of Jesus".Even before the proceedings began however, five conservative cardinals asked Francis to reaffirm Catholic doctrine on the treatment of gay couples and the ordination of women.
In a response made public Monday, Francis appeared to suggest a way to enable the blessing of same-sex couples by clerics, something not recognised by the Holy See but practised in countries such as Germany and Belgium. One informed observer of the Holy See, who asked not to be named, said their participation would make the synodal process more effective.