Pope Leo XIV has signaled his intention to continue the welcoming approach of his predecessor, Pope Francis, toward LGBTQ Catholics. This comes after a private audience with American Jesuit priest James Martin at the Vatican.
The 30-minute meeting, which Vatican officials later confirmed, was described by Martin as “warm, welcoming, and relaxed.” Martin, who has long advocated for LGBTQ inclusion in the Catholic Church despite criticism from conservative quarters, said Pope Leo emphasized his commitment to building on Pope Francis’s legacy.
“The message I got from Pope Leo was that he intends to continue Pope Francis’s approach of openness to LGBTQ people,” Martin told AFP ahead of a Jubilee pilgrimage of LGBTQ Catholics scheduled in Rome later this week.
Pope Francis, during his 12-year papacy, consistently called for a Church “open to all.” While he did not alter official doctrine, he made symbolic gestures of inclusion. His 2023 decision to authorize blessings for same-sex couples drew sharp criticism from conservative church leaders, particularly in Africa and the United States.
Martin confirmed he did not raise the subject of same-sex blessings with Pope Leo, who has not yet spoken publicly on the matter since assuming office on May 8. However, Martin noted that the new pontiff expressed his desire to continue Francis’s focus on synodality — a practice centered on collaboration and listening within the Church.
“Synodality means listening to people, listening to everybody, including LGBTQ people,” Martin stressed.
The upcoming Jubilee pilgrimage of LGBTQ Catholics, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, is officially listed on the Vatican’s Jubilee calendar — a sign, observers say, of the Church’s evolving engagement with sexual minorities under Pope Leo’s leadership.
