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Pope Decries Church’s ‘Rigid Ideological Positions’ After Same-Sex Blessing Ruling. On Dec. 18, Pope Francis released a document stating that priests are now allowed to bless same-sex couples. Although he did reiterate that the church still views marriage as being between a man and a woman, the pontiff said that anyone seeking God's love and mercy shouldn't have to endure "an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it. On Dec. 21, the pope urged Vatican staff to avoid "rigid ideological positions" that keep them from understanding the reality of the world we live in, AP reports. "Let us remain vigilant against rigid ideological positions that often, under the guise of good intentions, separate us from reality and prevent us from moving forward." "We are called instead to set out and journey, like the Magi, following the light that always desires to lead us on, at times along unexplored paths and new roads." According to Francis, preconceived prejudices will only keep the church from spreading its message. "It takes courage to journey, to move forward. Sixty years after the council, we are still debating the division between progressives and conservatives.", Pope Francis, via statement. "This isn’t difference. The real difference is between lovers and those who have lost that initial passion.", Pope Francis, via statement. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT