as only male and female and has tried to kick

to implement the Vatican declaration, saying same-sex relationships were “contrary to the will of God.” Individual bishops in Eastern Europe, Latin America and elsewhere also voiced opposition.The declaration restated traditional church teaching that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and woman. But it allowed priests to offer spontaneous blessings to same-sex couples seeking God’s grace, provided such blessings aren’t confused with the rites of a wedding.

Francis later acknowledged the declaration had encountered resistance; he faulted opposing bishops for refusing to open a dialogue about it.“Sometimes decisions are not accepted,” he said in a TV interview. “But in most cases, when you don’t accept a decision, it’s because you don’t understand.”“This has happened with these last decisions about blessing everyone,” Francis added. “The Lord blesses everyone.”

The beneficiaries of Francis’ welcoming attitude included a— many of them Latin American migrants who worked in Rome as prostitutes — who visited his weekly general audiences and were given VIP seats.

Transgender women, from left, Claudia Vittoria Salas, Andrea Paola Torres Lopez and Carla Segovia speak as they sit in the Beata Vergine Immacolata church in Torvaianica, Italy, on Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

Transgender women, from left, Claudia Vittoria Salas, Andrea Paola Torres Lopez and Carla Segovia speak as they sit in the Beata Vergine Immacolata church in Torvaianica, Italy, on Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)“There is no conspiracy on our part with regard to this policy direction,” said the minister.

Stakeholders, industry players and the public have been given 30 days to send in submissions and provide comment before the framework is finalized.BEIJING (AP) — Kenyan President William Ruto pledged to build closer ties with China on Thursday, a day after saying a global trade war triggered by Washington could deal a “death blow” to the current world order.

Ruto is on a five-day visit to China, his third trip to Beijing since taking office in 2022. The visit comes at a time when both Kenya and China are seeking to expand ties amid a tariff fight between Washington and Beijing.Kenya wants to learn from “China’s remarkable journey of transformation in governance, economic development and global leadership,” Ruto said. He thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping for tens of millions of dollars in support for health, education and disaster relief, as well as for the planned construction of a new complex for Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.