In this roundtable episode of “Inside the Vatican,” hosts Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell, and America national correspondent Michael J. O’Loughlin dive into the reactions to “Fiducia Supplicans,” the Vatican's declaration on same-sex blessings.

How can the church unite clarity of teaching with pastoral closeness to people in their struggles?

'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.