The Vatican has issued a statement overnight saying the Catholic Church will not bless same-sex unions. Referring to them as a “choice” and a “sin”, the Holy See says the unions “cannot be recognised as objectively ordered” to God’s plans. Pope Francis has previously been more positive towards LGBTIQ+ people and has said he thought same-sex couples should be able to wed via civil unions. Overnight, he says the statement is “not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination, but rather a reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite”. That is unlikely to ease the disappointment of millions of Catholics around the world. Dozens of countries, including Australia, have legalised same-sex marriages.