The Vatican's official statement refusing to bless same-sex unions was unsurprising, but incredibly disappointing.
The particularly harsh statement, approved by Pope Francis, ascertained that "since blessings on persons are in relationship with the sacraments, the blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit" and that God "does not and cannot bless sin."
But Elton John, an extremely vocal member of the LGBTQ+ community who has been open about his sexuality for decades called out the Vatican's notable hypocrisy on where they put their money versus their public statements.
Rocketman, a biopic of John starring Taron Egerton, received millions of dollars from the Vatican ($4.5 million, to be exact) to finish production.
The film makes no secret of John's sexuality, depicting his marriage to David Furnish honestly.
@EW Wow, so that's where the money from the collection plate goes, to finance movies.โ Esther (@Esther) 1615904985.0
@EW The Pope vs the one and only Queen of All?? Pope doesnโt stand a chance.โ Greg G (@Greg G) 1615913758.0
@EW Go off, Mr. Elton John! ๐ณ๏ธโ๐โ ๐๐งกMaddie #ClassOf2021๐ฉโ๐๐ (@๐๐งกMaddie #ClassOf2021๐ฉโ๐๐) 1615910741.0
@EW Elton is legend โค๏ธโ Freddia ๐๐งก (@Freddia ๐๐งก) 1615909602.0
@TODAYshow Sex with same sex - bad Sex with kids - fine Gotta love the Catholic Churchโ Iโค๏ธNY (@Iโค๏ธNY) 1615908134.0
The Vatican's statement comes as somewhat of a surprise after several years of Pope Francis being deemed one of the most progressive Popes in charge of the Catholic Church in recent memory.
The Argentine Pope has contradicted former Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II's stances on homosexuality, who called it an "intrinsic evil" and an "affront to Christian values" respectively.
I hate retweeting this because I donโt want to perpetuate harmful shit- but for whoever needs to hear this-The desiโฆ https://t.co/SkOeVQ7ly7โ Brandi Carlile (@Brandi Carlile) 1615843952.0
it's good thing God doesn't need the Vatican's approval to bless queer relationshipsโ jimmy is a queer christian (@jimmy is a queer christian) 1615859605.0
same sex couples are not looking for the Vaticanโs permissions marry. ๐ณ๏ธโ๐๐ณ๏ธโ๐๐ณ๏ธโ๐๐ณ๏ธโ๐โ โ๐ผrosanna arquette (@โ๐ผrosanna arquette) 1615836755.0
@TODAYshow Disgusting proclamation hurting so many. The only judgement here is their own judgement being sinful. Who do they think they are!โ whittem (@whittem) 1615908878.0
@SkyNews They bless guns though... https://t.co/2r5ZDrc4L5โ Carmen's Granddaughter (@Carmen's Granddaughter) 1615890753.0
@SkyNews Says everything you need to know about the Catholic church and religion in general: a waste of timeโ And๐ทBodinger ๐๐ช๐บ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐ซ๐ท๐ต๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฒ (@And๐ทBodinger ๐๐ช๐บ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐ซ๐ท๐ต๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฒ) 1615891530.0
"Pray. Don't condemn," Francis said of parents to homosexual children.
"And if you, as a father or mother, can't deal with this on your own, ask for help, but always in dialogue, always in dialogue. Because that son and daughter has a right to family, and their family is this family, just as it is."
@SkyNews Vatican pay your taxes https://t.co/VOMLxNNkysโ Caesium_star (@Caesium_star) 1615902175.0
@SkyNews The Vatican giving lectures about "sin".?? We are really in a mad world at the moment!โ Mark (@Mark) 1615906209.0
@SkyNews But he forgives the priests who rape and abuse and abuse and abuse and abuse ...โ JimFranklin (@JimFranklin) 1615890922.0
@SkyNews The Catholic Church has a history of being hypocritical.โ AA Kilburn (@AA Kilburn) 1615890727.0
@SkyNews God is "all powerful" but can't bless two people who love one another. This God sounds like a charlatan.โ Oi, Mario, Pipe Down (@Oi, Mario, Pipe Down) 1615890802.0
The Vatican's financial investments and its official statements do not match, as John's situation has shown.
As the world becomes more open and accepting across the board for all types of people who exist, the Catholic Church has a choice: stay behind, or show up for people who need it the most.
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