On 12th Anniversary: Pope Francis’ Impact on Catholic LGBTQ+ Issues

Pope Francis

Today is the 12th anniversary of Cardial Jorge Bergoglio becoming Pope Francis, an event which, at the time, did not seem like it would change the church’s approach to LGBTQ+ issues.

How wrong we all were.

In addition to greater openness on LGBTQ+ issues, Pope Francis has greatly affected so many other areas of church life.  He has called the church to become a church for the poor. He renewed pastoral ministry by emphasizing encounter,  accompaniment, and dialogue.  He reminded the world of the importance of caring for creation.  He emphasized that all humans have invioable dignity and stressed that we must all treat each other as a family, especially across economic and international borders. He revived the teaching of the inviobility of conscience.  And, perhaps most importantly of all, he began to move the church into an arena of discussion and discernment, involving people at all levels in the community, by calling synods which allowed dissenting voices to be heard and considered, and especially by calling the Synod on Synodality, a global process of the new listening church. [For a catalog of all of Pope Francis’ statements, actions, and gestures–positive and negative–on LGBTQ+ issues, click here.]

In the past few weeks, as Pope Francis’ health was in a precarious state, journalists around the world began to assess the impact this pontiff has had on the church. One article in particular, in USA Today, captured some important perspectives from church leaders on how Francis’ papacy has changed the LGBTQ+ discussion  The following are some excerpted quotations from the article

Praise for Pope Francis:

Fr. Bryan Massingale

Fr. Bryan Massingale, theology professor, Fordham University, New York: ““I believe Pope Francis will be known as one of the most consequential popes in Catholic history. . . .I never imagined I would hear a Catholic pope speak so warmly and positively about the LGBTQ community.”

Michele Dillon

Michele Dillon, sociology professor, University of New Hampshire: “The pope has said there’s moral validity and spiritual grace contained in gay relationships, and that’s very empowering even if he’s not allowing for more sacramental recognition. It has had an impact on people’s lives. . . .He’s recognized the stability that same-sex unions can offer. There’s grace to be found within gay relationships – that’s what allowing the blessing acknowledges. That added major momentum.”

Catherine O’Donnell

Catherine O’Donnell, history professor, Arizona State University: “He made clear that transgender people were welcome at Masses over which he presided, that they could be godparents and that he approved of civil unions. He allowed the blessing of gay couples, as long as it did not appear to be a marriage ceremony. All of that really mattered.”

Francis DeBernardo

Francis DeBernardo, executive director, New Ways Ministry:  “I’ve been in the field for more than 30 years, and it has never been busier than during the papacy of Pope Francis. People who would been afraid to even say the words are now public about doing ministry with the LGBTQ community. . . .We still hear stories of people being excluded or going to church and hearing ignorant or negative sermons about LGBTQ people. But the Catholic Church is a big ship, and I give him a lot of credit for starting to turn it around.”

Mixed Reviews:

Elizabeth Sweeny Block

Elizabeth Sweeny Block, theology professor, Saint Louis University, Missouri: On gender identity issues, the pope has not always been positive, she said. While he has regarded science more highly than previous popes, Block also commented: “He has condemned so-called ‘gender ideology’ repeatedly – a deeply problematic and derogatory phrase and one without clear definition. . . .People who are members of the LGBTQ community are understandably still waiting for more concrete changes in the Church on the ground.”

Meli Barber

Meli Barber, president, DignityUSA: She praised the pope for his LGBTQ+ language, noting that he “speaks to us in our own language.”  However despite calling for the decriminalization of LGBTQ+ people and an end to discrimination, the pope’s emphasis on the heterosexual norm for marriage and supposed dangers of gender transition are “really hurtful and harmful,” Barber said.

Will his legacy outlast him?:

DeBernardo:  “It’s hard to put the toothpaste back in the proverbial tube. If the worst happens and we get someone 180 degrees opposite Pope Francis, the Church won’t move forward as quickly, but I don’t think the good he has done will be undone.”

Block: “Francis’ pastoral approach is the beginning of a seismic shift, even if it is far from complete. He has opened his arms to those on the margins.”

Dillon: “When someone actually takes on the mantle, they’re going to see Catholicism differently [because of Pope Francis]. . . .It’s a different role with different responsibilities.”

Massingale:  “I find it hard to believe the next pope will radically change the trajectory of where Francis has brought the Church in terms of LGBTQ issues. This pope has gone further than any other pope in Catholic history and has opened the door for evolution. The Church is a worldwide institution and while there are things obvious to us in the U.S. and in Europe, other parts of the world have to grow in their own way. He wanted to keep the world walking together.”

New Ways Ministry prays in thanksgiving for Pope Francis and his legacy, and we pray for continued restoration to full health for him, and for many more positive messages from him for our church.

—Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, March 13, 2025