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USA Today
10-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Will Pope Leo XIV accept LGBTQ+ people as Francis did? Here's why advocates have hope.
Will Pope Leo XIV accept LGBTQ+ people as Francis did? Here's why advocates have hope. Show Caption Hide Caption Who is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the new pope? Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been named the first ever pope from the U.S. and will go by the name Leo XIV. Advocates for the LGBTQ+ community praised Pope Francis for his outreach and credited him with moving the Catholic Church away from condemnation and towards tolerance and embrace. Now, the outlook is murkier as Pope Leo XIV succeeds Francis as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, but advocates say they remain hopeful that he will echo the late pontiff's approach on LGBTQ+ issues, one that distinguished Francis from his more conservative predecessors. 'We're going to take a wait-and-see approach,' said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, a national Catholic outreach group promoting LGBTQ acceptance and equity. 'There's a great possibility that he will have a positive effect on LGBTQ ministry.' The new pope hasn't said much on the subject, and what little he has said has indicated a less open attitude. But advocates point out that those statements were made years ago. According to the College of Cardinals Report, Leo, as Robert F. Prevost, expressed concerns in 2012 that Western culture promoted 'sympathy for beliefs and practices that contradict the gospel' regarding the 'homosexual lifestyle' and 'alternative families made up of same-sex partners and their adopted children.' At the time, Prevost served as leader of the church's Order of Saint Augustine. Pope Leo XIV: Voting history sparks speculation on political affiliation '2012 was really a different time in our church and in our society,' said Meli Barber, president of Dignity USA, a national organization working for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church and society. 'I'm hoping that, considering how close he was to Pope Francis, that his thinking has changed.' She and DeBernardo said they are heartened by Pope Leo's apparent commitment to Francis' embrace of synodality and social justice. (Synodality refers to collaboration and encourages bishops to consult with all Catholics, including parishioners and priests.) But when it comes to his views on LGBTQ issues specifically, they say, there isn't yet enough information. 'Without knowing anything further about his stance, I just choose to be hopeful that his thinking has evolved and that we will see a continuation of the Francis way and not see any backsliding on LGBTQ issues,' Barber said. 'I don't think we know enough at this point.' DeBernardo said Leo's promotion of synodality in the church could indirectly yield positive results for LGBTQ people. 'His concern for the poor, and for those economically and politically marginalized, are important and I'm really happy to see he has a social justice frame of mind,' he said. 'I hope he will meet and listen to LGBTQ Catholics so that his mind might be expanded on these issues.' DeBernardo was among a delegation who met with Pope Francis last fall, describing the pontiff as engaged and supportive of the group, which included members of the transgender and intersex communities. That the meeting took place at all was a striking shift from 1999, when the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith – led by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who become Pope Benedict XVI – barred the organization's founders, Sister Jeannine Gramick and Father Robert Nugent, from conducting pastoral outreach to gay people. Shortly after becoming pope in 2013, Francis famously replied 'Who am I to judge?' when pressed by a reporter on the subject of gay priests, and in December 2023 issued a declaration allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. His embrace of a traditionally marginalized community 'rang loudly around the globe,' New Ways Ministry said. After Pope Francis' declaration, according to the College of Cardinals Report, Leo stressed the need to give bishops authority to interpret and apply directives in their local communities, given wide-ranging cultural differences. 'I think he will continue Pope Francis' message of welcoming and compassion for the LGBTQ community,' DeBernardo said, 'but I don't think he's going to actively promote LGBTQ issues in the way Pope Francis did, by making dramatic statements or gestures.' In other words, while he doesn't expect Leo to clamp down on the church's LGBTQ ministry or outreach, he also doesn't think LGBTQ issues will be high on the agenda for him either. 'For me, that's a good thing,' he said. 'Not the best thing – but a good thing. As long as he allows LGBTQ ministry to go forward, I don't think any harm will be done.' After Francis was elected in 2013, DeBernardo noted, comments the pope had made in his native Argentina similarly came to light that indicated a disapproving stance on marriage equality issues. Those comments turned out to be a false alarm. 'There's always the idea that when someone reaches the top, they feel they can address controversial issues in the way they want to rather than the way they're supposed to,' DeBernardo said. 'That's why I say there's a great possibility that he has changed. The day after Francis was elected, no one would have guess he would be the gay liberation pope.' Contributing: Danae King, The Columbus Dispatch
Chicago Tribune
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
A 2012 video shows comments from Pope Leo XIV that disappoint LGBTQ activists
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV, in remarks in 2012 when he was the Augustinian prior general in Chicago, made comments critical of what he called the 'homosexual lifestyle' and the role of mass media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships that conflicted with Catholic doctrine. Reports about the 2012 comments emerged after Thursday's election of U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost to succeed Pope Francis; he took the name Leo XIV. The remarks were 'disappointing,' said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, a U.S.-based group that advocates for greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the church. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich shares pride after South Sider Robert Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV'We pray that in the 13 years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, that his (Leo's) heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues, and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened,' DeBernardo said in a statement. A 2012 video provided to Catholic News Service, the news agency of the U.S. bishops conference, featured Prevost's address to the world Synod of Bishops against the backdrop of images from popular TV series and movies. 'Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general public enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel, for example abortion, homosexual lifestyle, euthanasia,' Prevost said. He singled out 'how alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children are so benignly and sympathetically portrayed in television programs and cinema today.' When he became a cardinal in 2023, Catholic News Service asked him if his views had changed. He acknowledged Pope Francis' call for a more inclusive church, saying Francis 'made it very clear that he doesn't want people to be excluded simply on the basis of choices that they make, whether it be lifestyle, work, way to dress, or whatever.' But he underlined that doctrine had not changed, in line with Francis. 'And people haven't said yet (that) we're looking for that kind of change,' Prevost said. 'But we are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church.' In his first remarks as pope on Thursday night, Leo spoke about building bridges and God's love for all. The Rev. James Martin, an American Jesuit who founded an LGBTQ+ outreach ministry, said such an invitation to inclusiveness and welcome was important and he considered the cardinals' choice of Prevost 'brilliant.' 'He is humble, reserved, straightforward, trustworthy. I think he brings a wealth of experience not only (from) his long time in Peru working with the poor, but also in the Vatican,' Martin said. 'It's rare to come in contact with someone who is actually humble and not pretending to be humble. And he's the real deal. And that really cemented my respect for him. He always treated me with great respect, dignity, friendship. He's a man of few words, and I'll say that when he talked, people listened.' Francis, more than any of his predecessors, incrementally conveyed through his actions, formal statements and occasional casual remarks that he wanted the church to be a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people. Yet his papacy ended with the same core doctrine for LGBTQ+ people that he inherited: The Catholic Church still rejected same-sex marriage and condemned any sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners as 'intrinsically disordered.' The U.S.-based LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD called on the new pontiff to 'build on the progress' made by his predecessor. 'The Roman Catholic Church stands on the threshold of a hopeful and inclusive new chapter. With Pope Leo XIV's leadership, there is an extraordinary opportunity to inspire billions around the world and further embrace LGBTQ people with compassion, dignity, and love,' GLADD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A 2012 video shows comments from new pope that disappoint LGBTQ activists
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV, in remarks in 2012 when he was the Augustinian prior general in Chicago, made comments critical of what he called the 'homosexual lifestyle' and the role of mass media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships that conflicted with Catholic doctrine. Reports about the 2012 comments emerged after Thursday's election of U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost to succeed Pope Francis; he took the name Leo XIV. The remarks were 'disappointing,' said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, a U.S.-based group that advocates for greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the church. 'We pray that in the 13 years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, that his (Leo's) heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues, and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened,' DeBernardo said in a statement. A 2012 video provided to Catholic News Service, the news agency of the U.S. bishops conference, featured Prevost's address to the world Synod of Bishops against the backdrop of images from popular TV series and movies. 'Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general public enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel, for example abortion, homosexual lifestyle, euthanasia,' Prevost said. He singled out 'how alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children are so benignly and sympathetically portrayed in television programs and cinema today.' When he became a cardinal in 2023, Catholic News Service asked him if his views had changed. He acknowledged Pope Francis' call for a more inclusive church, saying Francis 'made it very clear that he doesn't want people to be excluded simply on the basis of choices that they make, whether it be lifestyle, work, way to dress, or whatever.' But he underlined that doctrine had not changed, in line with Francis. 'And people haven't said yet (that) we're looking for that kind of change,' Prevost said. 'But we are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church.' In his first remarks as pope on Thursday night, Leo spoke about building bridges and God's love for all. The Rev. James Martin, an American Jesuit who founded an LGBTQ+ outreach ministry, said such an invitation to inclusiveness and welcome was important and he considered the cardinals' choice of Prevost 'brilliant.' 'He is humble, reserved, straightforward, trustworthy. I think he brings a wealth of experience not only (from) his long time in Peru working with the poor, but also in the Vatican,' Martin said. 'It's rare to come in contact with someone who is actually humble and not pretending to be humble. And he's the real deal. And that really cemented my respect for him. He always treated me with great respect, dignity, friendship. He's a man of few words, and I'll say that when he talked, people listened.' Francis, more than any of his predecessors, incrementally conveyed through his actions, formal statements and occasional casual remarks that he wanted the church to be a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people. Yet his papacy ended with the same core doctrine for LGBTQ+ people that he inherited: The Catholic Church still rejected same-sex marriage and condemned any sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners as 'intrinsically disordered.' The U.S.-based LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD called on the new pontiff to 'build on the progress' made by his predecessor. 'The Roman Catholic Church stands on the threshold of a hopeful and inclusive new chapter. With Pope Leo XIV's leadership, there is an extraordinary opportunity to inspire billions around the world and further embrace LGBTQ people with compassion, dignity, and love,' GLADD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. ___ Crary reported from New York. Barry reported from Soave, Italy. Nicole Winfield contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
A 2012 video shows comments from new pope that disappoint LGBTQ activists
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV, in remarks in 2012 when he was the Augustinian prior general in Chicago, made comments critical of what he called the 'homosexual lifestyle' and the role of mass media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships that conflicted with Catholic doctrine. Reports about the 2012 comments emerged after Thursday's election of U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost to succeed Pope Francis; he took the name Leo XIV. The remarks were 'disappointing,' said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, a U.S.-based group that advocates for greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the church. 'We pray that in the 13 years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, that his (Leo's) heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues, and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened,' DeBernardo said in a statement. A 2012 video provided to Catholic News Service, the news agency of the U.S. bishops conference, featured Prevost's address to the world Synod of Bishops against the backdrop of images from popular TV series and movies. 'Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general public enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel, for example abortion, homosexual lifestyle, euthanasia,' Prevost said. He singled out 'how alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children are so benignly and sympathetically portrayed in television programs and cinema today.' When he became a cardinal in 2023, Catholic News Service asked him if his views had changed. He acknowledged Pope Francis' call for a more inclusive church, saying Francis 'made it very clear that he doesn't want people to be excluded simply on the basis of choices that they make, whether it be lifestyle, work, way to dress, or whatever.' But he underlined that doctrine had not changed, in line with Francis. 'And people haven't said yet (that) we're looking for that kind of change,' Prevost said. 'But we are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church.' In his first remarks as pope on Thursday night, Leo spoke about building bridges and God's love for all. The Rev. James Martin, an American Jesuit who founded an LGBTQ+ outreach ministry, said such an invitation to inclusiveness and welcome was important and he considered the cardinals' choice of Prevost 'brilliant.' 'He is humble, reserved, straightforward, trustworthy. I think he brings a wealth of experience not only (from) his long time in Peru working with the poor, but also in the Vatican,' Martin said. 'It's rare to come in contact with someone who is actually humble and not pretending to be humble. And he's the real deal. And that really cemented my respect for him. He always treated me with great respect, dignity, friendship. He's a man of few words, and I'll say that when he talked, people listened.' Francis, more than any of his predecessors, incrementally conveyed through his actions, formal statements and occasional casual remarks that he wanted the church to be a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people. Yet his papacy ended with the same core doctrine for LGBTQ+ people that he inherited: The Catholic Church still rejected same-sex marriage and condemned any sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners as 'intrinsically disordered.' The U.S.-based LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD called on the new pontiff to 'build on the progress' made by his predecessor. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'The Roman Catholic Church stands on the threshold of a hopeful and inclusive new chapter. With Pope Leo XIV's leadership, there is an extraordinary opportunity to inspire billions around the world and further embrace LGBTQ people with compassion, dignity, and love,' GLADD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. ___ Crary reported from New York. Barry reported from Soave, Italy. Nicole Winfield contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
A 2012 video shows comments from new pope that disappoint LGBTQ activists
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV, in remarks in 2012 when he was the Augustinian prior general in Chicago, made comments critical of what he called the 'homosexual lifestyle' and the role of mass media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships that conflicted with Catholic doctrine. Reports about the 2012 comments emerged after Thursday's election of U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost to succeed Pope Francis; he took the name Leo XIV. The remarks were 'disappointing,' said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, a U.S.-based group that advocates for greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the church. 'We pray that in the 13 years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, that his (Leo's) heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues, and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened,' DeBernardo said in a statement. A 2012 video provided to Catholic News Service, the news agency of the U.S. bishops conference, featured Prevost's address to the world Synod of Bishops against the backdrop of images from popular TV series and movies. 'Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general public enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel, for example abortion, homosexual lifestyle, euthanasia,' Prevost said. He singled out 'how alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children are so benignly and sympathetically portrayed in television programs and cinema today.' When he became a cardinal in 2023, Catholic News Service asked him if his views had changed. He acknowledged Pope Francis' call for a more inclusive church, saying Francis 'made it very clear that he doesn't want people to be excluded simply on the basis of choices that they make, whether it be lifestyle, work, way to dress, or whatever.' But he underlined that doctrine had not changed, in line with Francis. 'And people haven't said yet (that) we're looking for that kind of change,' Prevost said. 'But we are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church.' In his first remarks as pope on Thursday night, Leo spoke about building bridges and God's love for all. The Rev. James Martin, an American Jesuit who founded an LGBTQ+ outreach ministry, said such an invitation to inclusiveness and welcome was important and he considered the cardinals' choice of Prevost 'brilliant.' 'He is humble, reserved, straightforward, trustworthy. I think he brings a wealth of experience not only (from) his long time in Peru working with the poor, but also in the Vatican,' Martin said. 'It's rare to come in contact with someone who is actually humble and not pretending to be humble. And he's the real deal. And that really cemented my respect for him. He always treated me with great respect, dignity, friendship. He's a man of few words, and I'll say that when he talked, people listened.' Francis, more than any of his predecessors, incrementally conveyed through his actions, formal statements and occasional casual remarks that he wanted the church to be a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people. Yet his papacy ended with the same core doctrine for LGBTQ+ people that he inherited: The Catholic Church still rejected same-sex marriage and condemned any sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners as 'intrinsically disordered.' The U.S.-based LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD called on the new pontiff to 'build on the progress' made by his predecessor. 'The Roman Catholic Church stands on the threshold of a hopeful and inclusive new chapter. With Pope Leo XIV's leadership, there is an extraordinary opportunity to inspire billions around the world and further embrace LGBTQ people with compassion, dignity, and love,' GLADD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. ___ Crary reported from New York. Barry reported from Soave, Italy. Nicole Winfield contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
