Pope Leo XIV has signaled his intention to continue his predecessor’s approach toward LGBTQ, altogether refers to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning people in Catholics.
The Pope met privately with American Jesuit priest James Martin, a well-known advocate for LGBTQ inclusion in the Church.
The 30-minute meeting was described as “warm, welcoming, friendly, and relaxed,” Martin told AFP.
Martin said Pope Leo indicated he plans to maintain Pope Francis’s legacy of openness.
“The message I got from Pope Leo was that he intends to continue Pope Francis’s approach of openness to LGBTQ people,” Martin explained.
During his 12-year pontificate, Pope Francis encouraged a Church “open to all” and made several gestures toward LGBTQ Catholics, though he did not change Church doctrine.
In 2023, Francis authorized blessings for same-sex couples, which drew criticism from conservatives in Africa and the United States.
Martin added that the Pope spoke about synodality, the principle of fraternal collaboration among Catholics.
“Synodality means listening to everyone, including LGBTQ people,” Martin said.
The Vatican officially confirmed the meeting but provided no further details.
Martin’s remarks come ahead of a Jubilee pilgrimage of LGBTQ Catholics in Rome, scheduled for next Friday and Saturday as part of the official Jubilee calendar.
Pope Leo’s approach appears to signal continuity with Francis’s more inclusive stance while maintaining Church doctrine on marriage.