LGBTQ+ Catholics tentatively welcome new pope despite anti-gay comments: ‘Opinions can change’

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was on Thursday elected the first pope from the United States, the Vatican announced. A moderate who was close to Pope Francis and spent years as a missionary in Peru, he becomes the Catholic Church's 267th pontiff, taking the papal name Leo XIV. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

LGBTQ+ Catholic groups have tentatively welcomed new pope Robert Prevost – Pope Leo XIV – as head of the Catholic Church after he previously expressed anti-gay views.

Chicago-born Prevost, who holds dual American and Peruvian citizenship, is the first American to hold the role of Pope. The 69-year-old was elected on Thursday (8 May) after a two-day papal conclave following the death of 88-year-old Pope Francis in April.

Francis left behind an erratic legacy on his support for the LGBTQ+ community but he was responsible for softening the church’s language on queer people compared to his predecessors, such as with his famous “who am I to judge?” statement.

Although Prevost was not considered a frontrunner to be elected as Pope and does not have an extensive public record of commenting on issues impacting LGBTQ+ folks, he was reportedly close with Pope Francis and is considered a centrist.

However, following his election The New York Times reported Prevost was critical of entertainment media in 2012, saying it held “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel,” including the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children”.

Americans from Texas including Cole Wendling (C) celebrate after the newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, was announced on May 08, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Issuing a statement following his election, the LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council said they “warmly” welcome Pope Leo XIV and believe his speech from St. Peter’s balcony “emphasised his commitment to build bridges, to dialogue and journey together, including everyone in the people of God”.

“A strong supporter of the Church’s Synodal Conversion, developed by Pope Francis, we hope that he has moved on from his 2012 address to bishops, when he expressed concern that Western news media and popular culture promote “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel,” specifically referencing the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children”, the group said.

“We trust he will now be open to listen to the lived experience of LGBT+ Catholics, their parents and families.”

In the statement, the group went on to state “opinions and ideas can change” and noted the new Pope “supported Pope Francis’ change in pastoral practice to allow divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion, and he showed support for Fiducia Supplicans, allowing blessings for same-sex couples”.

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“He has expressed openness to marginalised groups, though his stance on specific issues remains ambiguous, including the concerns of LGBT+ Catholics,” they add, concluding his election is “a clear rebuff to those who wanted a return to a rigorous legalism and a more fortress-style Church”.

Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) said in a statement in “this world of uncertainty and danger, the need for courage, strong leadership, compassion, and pastoral care for the many wounded, marginalised, and rejected is more urgent than ever” and on Prevost’s anti-LGBTQ+ statements hope “opinions and ideas can change”.

People watch a large screen as newly elected Pope Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV, addresses the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter’s Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. (STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images)

“He supported Pope Francis’ change in pastoral practice to allow divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion, and he showed mild, but present, support for Fiducia Supplicans. He has expressed openness to marginalized groups, though his stance on specific issues like blessing same-sex couples remains ambiguous,” the group wrote.

“In the past, he rejected clerical privilege, saying, ‘The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom,’ but must instead be ‘humble, close to the people, walking and suffering with them’ and he has consistently emphasized the need to build bridges.

“We believe this signals a Church that will stand with the poorest and most marginalised, and that real dialogue remains possible.”

Marianne Duddy Burke, co-chair of the GNRC said: “We hope our new Pope will continue to learn from the stories of LGBTIQ people, celebrate our gifts, and recognise that certain teachings and practices have caused harm to members of the Body of Christ and must be re-examined. We join many around the world in praying for his ministry in this new role.”

Chris Vella, co -chair of GNRC said: “We are grateful to the Holy Spirit who guided the Cardinals in their discernment. We pray that Pope Leo XIV will lead the Church with wisdom and be a shepherd who knows the human flock well.”

 

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