Pope calls criticism of blessing for gay couples 'hypocrisy'

Pope Francis has rejected criticism of his authorization to bless same-sex couples as "hypocrisy." "Nobody is shocked when I bless an entrepreneur who may be exploiting people, which is a very grave sin," the head of the Catholic Church told the magazine Credere, which means believe in Italian. "But they are outraged when I give my blessing to a homosexual. That is hypocrisy!" The 87-year-old was responding to criticism from conservative circles in the Church of new guidelines that allow priests to bless homosexuals together - albeit under strict restrictions. The decree, published at the end ...