Pope Leo XIV Engages with LGBTQ+ Advocate Ahead of Holy Year Pilgrimage

Pope Leo XIV recently met with Rev. James Martin, a key advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church, just a few days ahead of a significant pilgrimage for LGBTQ+ Catholics. Martin, who is based in New York and serves as both an author and editor for the Jesuit publication, shared that Leo aims to carry forward Pope Francis’ commitment to LGBTQ+ acceptance within the church.

“I felt the same welcoming spirit from Pope Leo as I had from Pope Francis—a desire to embrace everyone, including LGBTQ individuals,” Martin relayed to the Associated Press following their 30-minute meeting. “It was truly uplifting and honestly a lot of fun.”

This meeting was significant, especially since it highlighted the continuing efforts toward inclusivity initiated by Francis, who had actively sought to make the church more receptive to LGBTQ+ Catholics. When Francis first assumed the papacy in 2013, he famously addressed the topic of homosexuality, offering a more welcoming stance than his predecessor.

During his tenure since 2013, Francis met with Martin multiple times, having appointed him as an advisor in the Vatican’s Communications Department. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that while Francis spoke about inclusion, he maintained that the church’s core teachings regarding homosexuality remained unchanged.

Leo’s stance on LGBTQ+ Catholics might have seemed uncertain at first. Shortly after his election, comments he made years earlier resurfaced, in which he had criticized media portrayals that supported same-sex relationships contrary to Catholic doctrine. During a recent interview, he acknowledged the need for a more inclusive approach, indicating a shift towards welcoming attitudes, although he emphasized that traditional doctrine remained intact.

Martin expressed confidence in Leo’s direction, sharing that he sees Leo as fundamentally open and welcoming. This continuity is encouraging, as Leo mentioned that fostering peace and unity in the church are among his priorities. He also reminded Martin of the church’s overarching mission to embrace all, encapsulated in the phrase “Todos, Todos, Totos,” meaning everyone is welcome.

This week, Martin has been instrumental in organizing the Great Holy Year pilgrimage, aimed at promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance. This pilgrimage, featuring around 1,200 participants, will include a mass at a Jesuit church in Rome, conducted by a senior member of the Italian Bishops’ Conference.

While the pilgrimage isn’t officially sponsored by the Vatican, it’s nonetheless acknowledged on the Vatican’s Holy Year Event calendar. Vatican officials clarify that such listings are purely for logistical support, not an endorsement.

Despite the hesitation from some corners, the pilgrimage and the audience with Leo suggest that the message is clear: “Jesus is associated with everyone,” according to Martin. He concluded by saying that if people were aligned with Pope Francis’ approach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, they would find similarly affirming sentiments reflected in Pope Leo’s outlook as well.