“Can't a Catholic marry someone of another religion or none at all?”

Matrimony — a free and faithful promise for life

🛡️The Church's answer: It is not flatly forbidden, but real difficulties can arise over faith, the children's upbringing and freedom of conscience, so it needs serious preparation and the permission or dispensation of the Church. The other person cannot be pressed into converting, and the Catholic party has to make known the promise to keep their own faith and to do what they can for the Catholic baptism and upbringing of the children. Before the wedding the two of them have to check each other's expectations openly, with nothing hidden.

🧐If they press further: “After the wedding, may I stop my spouse practicing their religion?” — No. Marriage confers no right to rule over another's conscience. Respect each other's religious freedom, and at the same time do not treat the differences lightly, as though they would all resolve themselves: agree on the specifics.

✨In one sentence: “A marriage between different religions is possible, but no one may be forced to convert, and the real questions of faith, children and family life have to be prepared for honestly.”