Analysis: Pope Francis Announces New Church Guidelines for Same-Sex Couples

Pope Francis made a historic announcement at the Vatican on Monday allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. The announcement is seen as a radical shift in policy aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage. Parts of a document from the Vatican’s doctrine said; “there is no intention to legitimize anything, but rather to open one’s life to God, to ask for his help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the gospel may be lived with greater faithfulness.” For analysis, VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to Ntal Alimasi, the president emeritus of National Association of African Catholics in the U.S.