Pope Leo XIV has recently affirmed his commitment to continuing Pope Francis’ policy of LGBTQ+ acceptance within the Catholic Church, emphasizing a welcoming approach for all.
In a recent meeting with Rev. James Martin, a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, Leo expressed his desire to maintain the Church as a place for “todos, todos, todos” (everyone), echoing Francis’s inclusive rhetoric. During his 2013-2025 papacy, Pope Francis softened the Church’s stance by meeting with transgender individuals, urging forgiveness for past treatment of gay people, and allowing priests to bless same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis, though not recognizing their unions as marriages. Leo’s recent statements confirm the continuation of Francis’s 2023 Vatican declaration permitting non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, as affirmed by Vatican official Victor Manuel Fernández.
This inclusion entails welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics into church activities, such as the upcoming Holy Year pilgrimage of about 1,200 LGBTQ+ Catholics to the Vatican, listed on the Vatican’s calendar. The pilgrimage, supported by groups like Jonathan’s Tent, includes a Mass in Rome celebrated by a senior Italian bishop, signaling pastoral openness. Despite this, Leo, like Francis, upholds traditional doctrine stating homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered,” maintaining that same-sex unions are not equivalent to marriage. Leo’s 2012 remarks criticizing the “homosexual lifestyle” had raised concerns, but his 2023 comments as a cardinal emphasized a more inclusive church, aligning with Francis’ vision. Advocates like Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry see Leo’s meeting with Martin as a step toward affirming Francis’ welcoming model.
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