Pope Francis has said that those who criticise his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples will come to understand it over time, except for Africans, whom he referred to as a “special case.”

 Pope Francis stated that Africans perceive homosexuality negatively from a cultural perspective, according to Reuters.

“Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups. A special case are Africans: for them homosexuality is something bad from a cultural point of view, they don’t tolerate it,” Pope said.

“But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide,” he added.

Recall that in December, a Vatican document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), which allowed blessings for same-sex couples, sparked widespread debate in the Catholic Church and around the world.

However, the Vatican made it clear that blessings should not be included in regular church ceremonies or linked to civil unions or weddings.

It emphasised that it continues to view marriage as between a man and a woman.

Francis seemed to recognise the resistance that the document generated, particularly in Africa, where in some countries, same-sex activity can result in severe consequences, such as imprisonment or even capital punishment.

The Pope said that when the blessings are given, priests should “naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it.”

However, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria announced that Catholic churches within the country will not bless same-sex unions.

“That would go against God’s law, the teachings of the church, the laws of our nation, and the cultural sensibilities of our people,” they said in a statement.

According to the bishops, there was a misinterpretation of Pope Francis’s decision to allow the blessing of same-sex marriage.