After same-sex blessing ruling, pope decries inflexible ideologies

Pope Francis leads an audience to deliver a Christmas message to Vatican workers in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, December 21, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Thursday warned against inflexible ideological positions that can hinder the Church from seeing reality and moving forward, speaking days after a declaration allowing blessings of same-sex couples that conservatives have condemned.

Francis, who turned 87 on Sunday, made his comments in his traditional Christmas greetings to members of the Curia, the Vatican's central administration.