'Fiducia Supplicans' does not alter church teaching on marriage, but it does encourage pastors to accompany others on their journeys in new ways that are simpatico with the pastoral vision of Pope Francis.

Reaffirming their fidelity to the pope and the Gospel, Catholic bishops in Africa have released a common response to a recent Vatican declaration, saying they “generally prefer” not to offer blessings to same-sex couples.

With “Fiducia Supplicans,” Pope Francis turns the church’s attention to the pastoral needs of same-sex couples. We can chart this development over the past two years.

“We will all have to become accustomed to accepting the fact that if a priest gives this type of simple blessing, he is not a heretic,” a new press release from the Vatican’s doctrine office states.

Global reaction among bishops to the Vatican’s declaration that priests may now bless same-sex couples appears most divergent in some European and African nations.

Some Catholics see the Vatican declaration as a step forward for L.G.B.T. people in the church. Others are worried about the possibility of schism.