Vatican City (AP) – Pope Leo XIV met on Monday with one of his notable supporters from the LGBTQ+ community, shortly before a planned pilgrimage for LGBTQ+ Catholics. This meeting reflects his ongoing commitment to inclusivity within the Catholic Church.
The Rev. James Martin, who writes for a New York-based Jesuit publication, shared that Leo aims to carry on Pope Francis’ approach to LGBTQ+ acceptance and supports his advocacy efforts.
“I heard the same welcoming message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis—a desire to embrace everyone, including those in the LGBTQ community,” Martin recounted after their 30-minute conversation. “It was truly uplifting, encouraging, and honestly quite enjoyable.”
The Vatican openly announced this meeting, signaling Leo’s intention to publicly share his views.
This audience underscores the continuity of Leo’s stance with that of Francis, who has worked to create a more inclusive atmosphere for LGBTQ+ Catholics than past popes. Since his 2013 remarks about not judging LGBTQ individuals, which received significant attention, Francis has emphasized the need for acceptance in the Church.
During his papacy, Francis frequently met with Martin, who has advised the Vatican on communication efforts. Even so, Francis maintained the Church’s traditional teaching on homosexuality as “essentially disturbed.”
Leo’s perspective on LGBTQ+ Catholics has faced scrutiny. After his election in May, comments he made in 2012 surfaced, in which he criticized the media for promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships that contradict traditional Catholic values.
When he was appointed Cardinal in 2023, Prevost, the future Pope Leo XIV, acknowledged Francis’s goal of inclusivity, emphasizing that exclusion based on personal choices should be avoided.
“We’re striving for a more welcoming environment where all feel included,” he noted.
Martin, familiar with Prevost from their work at the Church’s Future Conference, expressed confidence in Leo’s openness, stating that he has always viewed him as “very inclusive.”
“It’s reassuring to see this continuation,” Martin added, mentioning that Leo aims for peace and unity.
“He also highlighted that this is a ‘Todos, Todos, Todos’ church,” Martin noted.
Martin is involved in Outreach, a ministry that champions LGBTQ+ participation in the upcoming holy year events, organized by an Italian LGBTQ+ Catholic group. The pilgrimage, which includes a Mass at a Jesuit Church in Rome, has even garnered praise from a senior member of the Italian Bishops’ Conference.
While the Vatican does not officially sponsor the pilgrimage, it appears on the Holy Year Event calendar. Officials clarify that such listings are merely logistical support for organizing groups, not an endorsement.
Despite this, both the pilgrimage and Martin’s meeting with Leo send a message aligned with the church’s belief that “Jesus connects with everyone,” as Martin stated.
His takeaway from Leo’s message was clear: “If people appreciated Pope Francis’ approach toward LGBTQ Catholics, they would find Leo’s approach similarly satisfying, and he encouraged me to keep on with my work.”
