Catholics and LGBTQ rights campaigners around the world have been sharing their reactions to today's announcement from the Vatican, which states that the Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex marriages. The message was approved by Pope Francis – disappointing gay Catholics who hoped that his papacy would pave the way for a more progressive church, particularly after the Pope voiced his support for same-sex civil unions in a documentary interview last year.

Today's statement was issued by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in response to a question about the Church's powers "to give the blessing to unions of persons of the same sex".

"[S]ince blessings on persons are in relationship with the sacraments, the blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit," the statement reads. "This is because they would constitute a certain imitation or analogue of the nuptial blessing invoked on the man and woman united in the sacrament of Matrimony, while in fact 'there are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family.'"

The decision seems to constitute a further rebuff to the campaign being run by the former Irish President, Mary McAleese – who wants full recognition of LGBTQ rights from the Vatican.

Panti Bliss is among those to have responded to the news on Twitter today:

"The Catholic Church will bless your cow, your cow shed, your trampoline... muck spreader, septic tank, local Nazi, child rapist, toe nail clippers, the Teletubbies, toast, rock, tap water, bubble tea, lint roller, wig, Piers Morgan... but not a gay couple.

"Personally, I couldn't care less (that ship sailed long ago!) but a lot of other LGBTI+ people do care."

Personally, I couldn't care less (that ship sailed long ago!) but a lot of other LGBTI+ people do care.

— Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera (@PantiBliss) March 15, 2021

Elton John has asked how the Vatican can "refuse to bless gay marriages because they 'are sin', yet happily make a profit from investing millions in 'Rocketman' – a film which celebrates my finding happiness from my marriage to David??"

How can the Vatican refuse to bless gay marriages because they “are sin”, yet happily make a profit from investing millions in “Rocketman” - a film which celebrates my finding happiness from my marriage to David?? #hypocrisy@VaticanNews @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/sURtrWB6Nd

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) March 15, 2021

"False claims that LGBTQ people and their relationships are ‘objectively disordered’ invite harm to LGBTQ people who continue to live in fear of harassment, discrimination, and violence," says Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD. "It's well past time for an examination of conscience at the Vatican to recognize the harm that statements like these cause, especially to the many faithful LGBTQ Catholics and allies who deserve love and acceptance from their faith leaders."

It's well past time for an examination of conscience at the Vatican to recognize the harm that statements like these cause, especially to the many faithful LGBTQ Catholics and allies who deserve love and acceptance from their faith leaders.

— Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) March 15, 2021

See more responses to the news below:

Many might be surprised by the Vatican's announcement this morning, but our president @JamieLManson called it all along. Here's her piece in @washingtonpost from October on Pope Francis and his lack of support for LGBTQ families.https://t.co/qwOZxMUbRu

— Catholics for Choice (@Catholic4Choice) March 15, 2021

Being LGBTQ is not a choice. LGBTQ people are wonderfully made by God. We are born this way and perfectly so, regardless of what the Vatican or any other religious authority might claim.

Spiritual leaders should instead spend more time addressing the actions of abusive clergy.

— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️‍⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 15, 2021

The Vatican just decreed that priests cannot bless same-sex unions. The Pope was inching his way towards compassion but has scurried backwards. There goes His Holiness's chances for a Tony Award, and he better not ask for house seats

— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) March 15, 2021

Today the Pope condemned gay marriage as sinful, adding, "The bible says marriage is between an elderly racist adulterer and a goldigging, unsuccessful model, or a useless princess and the idiot dweeb she coerced into marrying her. It's a sacred bond" pic.twitter.com/UgvaAmYBCR

— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) March 15, 2021

A group of celibate old men pick one celibate old man to tell 8 billion people on the planet how to have sex. Got it. https://t.co/jw0401gPkm

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) March 15, 2021

In the end, the Vatican is a deeply conservative and often outmoded institution. We applaud when it makes progress, but it is beginning from a fairly low baseline.

Marriage is marriage. Unions are unions. Love is love.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 15, 2021