Pope Francis has long created an atmosphere of acceptance in the Catholic Church for LGBTQ+ people. His strategy couldn’t be more different than their approach. This monumental change has generated a flurry of excitement — and worry — from different corners of Catholicism. Cardinal Robert Prevost assumes his new role as Pope Leo XIV. As he prepares to assume the papacy, millions are looking back on the history that was made while Pope Francis was in office. They’re concerned about the possible change of tone around LGBTQ+ issues.
During his papacy, Pope Francis has tried to open a dialogue with transgender Catholics and others, often reaching out with gestures of kindness and inclusion. He was a frequent participant at conferences and meetings sharing the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people in and around the Church. Further, he wrote letters of support to Outreach conferences for LGBTQ+ Catholics, showing that he lived out the belief that the church must be inclusive.
Even a great papacy like that of Pope Francis has had its moments of scandal. In 2013, he famously complained about the existence of a “gay lobby” in the Vatican hierarchy. Dubious implications His comments brought widespread criticism, as they suggested that queer people would somehow be involved in duplicitous political backdoor dealings. Unfortunately, I was overly presumptuous,” he wrote in a follow-up post, explaining his original comments. He said that, although no lobby is good, he doesn’t discriminate against people for their sexual orientation.
In 2020, Pope Francis endorsed civil-union laws for same-sex couples, marking a pivotal moment in the Church’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights. He concretely underlined this with his approval of the Vatican document on ’Fiducia Supplicans’. This pastoral provision permits priests to bless same-sex marriages under certain conditions. In 2023, he took a courageous stand by formally permitting the blessings of same-sex couples. Though it remains to be seen what’s next, this decision demonstrates a bold step forward to bringing inclusivity into the fold.
Just about everybody seems to think that Pope Francis has done more for LGBTQ+ equality than the last 266 popes put together. Father James Martin, a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Church, stated, “Pope Francis did more for LGBTQ people than all his predecessors combined.” To many, this has been understood as a deliberate attempt to begin healing the relationship between the Church and LGBTQ+ peoples.
Not everyone in the hierarchy of the Church embraces this left wing movement. And so even today, some bishops and other Church leaders are still woefully unaware about the complexities of LGBTQ+ lives. Father Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, denounced the “homosexual lifestyle” at the 2012 conclave. Of course that leaves us wondering whether he will come to adopt more conservative positions on these issues moving forward.
DignityUSA expressed dismay at Pope Leo XIV’s past statements on LGBTQ+ people. As he begins his tenure, the organization is optimistic that he’ll continue the welcoming trajectory that Pope Francis set forth. Marianne Duddy-Burke from DignityUSA noted that Pope Leo XIV “hasn’t said a lot since early 2010s,” raising questions about his commitment to dialogue on these matters.
Father James Martin was hopeful that Pope Leo XIV would be able to expand upon the work of Pope Francis. He portrayed him as “down-to-earth, kind, modest,” highlighting the urgency of keeping the dialogue that’s clearly begun going about how to make the Church more inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The sentiments expressed by Francis DeBernardo from New Ways Ministry capture the tension many feel regarding this transition in leadership. “We pray that in the 13 years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, that his heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues,” he stated. DeBernardo added that “the healing that began with ‘Who am I to judge?’ needs to continue and grow to ‘Who am I, if not a friend to LGBTQ+ people?’”
Pope Francis has made some of the strongest statements possible calling on Catholics to listen to, accept and value the contributions LGBTQ+ individuals. His well-known remark, “If a person is gay, and he searches for the Lord and has goodwill, who am I to judge?” reflects his intention to foster an inclusive environment within the Church.
As Cardinal Prevost settles into the papacy, many members of the Catholic community are hopeful. They need him to be the inclusive, warm person that Pope Francis so perfectly personified. DeBernardo remarked, “Pope Francis opened the door to a new approach to LGBTQ+ people. Pope Leo must now guide the church through that door.”