The Vatican has given Catholic priests approval to bless same-sex couples. 

Pope Francis has approved the change, which hopes to send a message the Catholic church "welcomes all". 

Newstalk ZB Italy Correspondent, Jo McKenna, told Tim Dower that while the move is a popular step in the progress of the church, not all will be celebrating. 

She says the socially conservative branch of the church may take issue with any watering down of its traditional rejection of homosexuality. 

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