Pope Defends , LGBTQ Blessings, , Points Out 'Hypocrisy'.br In a recent interview, Pope Francis said he sees br "hypocrisy" in criticism of the Vatican's recent br decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples.br In a recent interview, Pope Francis said he sees br "hypocrisy" in criticism of the Vatican's recent br decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples.br NBC reports that the pope's comments come as the br pontiff's strongest-worded defense of the decision. .br Last month, the Vatican granted authority to priests br to offer LGBTQ blessings, however the decision br has been met with resistance within the church.br Nobody gets scandalized if I give br my blessings to a businessman br who perhaps exploits people, br and this is a very grave sin. br But they get scandalized if br I give them to a homosexual, Pope Francis, via 'Credere'.br This is hypocrisy, Pope Francis, via 'Credere'.br However, conservatives have br decried the decision, which they say br undermines the church's moral teachings.br While acknowledging the pushback, the pope has br defended the decision and stressed that blessings br are not the same as approval of same-sex unions.br When a couple comes forward br spontaneously to ask for them, br one does not bless the union, br but simply the people who br together have requested it. br Not the union, but the persons, Pope Francis, via NBC.br In another recent interview, Francis expressed br hope that critics will eventually come to br understand and accept the decision. .br NBC points out that bishops across much of Africa, br where some countries carry severe punishments for br homosexuality, have outright rejected the Vatican's decision.