Priestly Blessing for a Mourner during Shiva
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Question
Can a Kohen who is in mourning during Shiva recite the Priestly Blessing?
Answer
A mourner does not raise his hands for the Priestly Blessing during Shiva, even if there is no other Kohen besides him, and even on Shabbat, because one must bless with joy, and the mourner is in sorrow. Therefore, the mourner should leave the synagogue before the chazzan says "Retze", and if he is called to ascend, he must perform the Priestly Blessing. There are those who practice that a mourner recites the Priestly Blessing even during Shiva.
Source
The Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 128, Seif 43 states: "After the seven days of mourning, he raises his hands; but during the seven days of mourning, he leaves the synagogue when the Kohanim are called." The Mishnah Berurah there, SK 157, writes: "By law, the mourner is obligated to bless, as he is obligated in all the commandments mentioned in the Torah, but it is customary not to raise hands because the Kohen must be in joy and good heart during the blessing, as it is written 'and he will bless with joy', therefore he must leave so that he is not called to ascend, and even on Shabbat, if there is no other Kohen, he should not ascend. However, if he did not leave and was called to ascend, whether on Shabbat or a weekday, whether there is no other Kohen or with other Kohanim, he must ascend, otherwise, he transgresses a positive commandment."
Some residents of Jerusalem practice that a mourner recites the Priestly Blessing even during Shiva, as written in Kaf HaChaim 128:253, and also in Radbaz, part 2, responsum 1.