In a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic religion will now allow priests to issue blessings to same-sex couples, just so long as the blessings are not issued within the context of religious rituals or liturgies. The doctrinal shift will not, according to the Vatican, legitimize what it calls “irregular situations,” but will instead allow for the formal blessing... 

Catholic churches around Germany were offering blessings for gay couples on Monday in a protest against the Vatican’s refusal to approve same-sex partnerships. More than 100 churches around the country have signed up to host services under the motto “love wins” on or around May 10th in the scheme initiated by priests, deacons and volunteers. At the services, all couples will be invited to be...