What Does the Little We Know About Pope Leo Tell Us So Far?
I have probably looked at more news articles and essays in the last 48 hours than I usually do in a week. That is not an exaggeration. My eyes are exhausted.
Pope Leo XIV
What has been the object of my hunt? Some information and insight into what Pope Leo XIV has done and/or will do about LGBTQ+ people. The hunt has turned up precious little. If you’ve read any articles on this topic, you will know three things from his history:
- In 2012, he made derogatory comments about “the homosexual lifestyle” and same-gender couples in committed relationships.
- A few years ago, he denounced “gender ideology” as a threat to the gender binary of male/female.
- He may or may not have endorsed Fiducia Supplicans, the 2023 Vatican document allowing for blessings of people in same-gender relationships, giving a weak ok to it, but allowing that not all bishops need to follow it.
None of these are a smoking gun that will indicate a return to the repressive times of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. What the presence of only three brief pieces of evidence do seem to indicate is that LGBTQ+ concerns have not been on his agenda. Which may mean that they won’t be part of his agenda as pope. But who knows? God is a god of surprises. And people have the ability to have their hearts and minds changed.
When I spoke to a New York Times reporter on Thursday afternoon, I mentioned this idea that perhaps LGBTQ+ issues were not pressing topics for him, and that actually can have a somewhat positive effect. I told the reporter:
“If I was going to predict anything, I would predict that he is not going to clamp down on L.G.B.T.Q. acceptance, but he probably will not support it in the way Francis did.”
Why is that positive? Because, he may just let things happen. He may allow for new pastoral outreaches and theological exploration which can have a positive effect down the road.
His emphasis on social justice and his support of synodality can also mean that LGBTQ+ issues may receive indirect support from his ministry.
In New Ways Ministry’s statement, we said we would take a “wait and see” attitude to find out what Pope Leo will be like. We are hoping for the best, and we have reason to be cautiously optimistic.
Of all the things I read this week regarding the election of Pope Leo, the most solidly certain appraisal that I found came from the statement by LGBT Catholics Westminster, the pastoral outreach of the English diocese which encompasses a good deal of London (which we excerpted and linked to in yesterday’s post). They closed their statement with this sentence:
“His election is a clear rebuff to those who wanted a return to a rigorous legalism and a more fortress-style Church.”
Even with just the little evidence about Leo that we have right now, that is a statement that rings both true and hopeful.
—Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, May 10, 2025
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Mr DeBernardo, Please give your eyes a rest. I agree that there is considerable speculation about what kind of Pope he will be , but there is ample time to see how this papacy shapes up. I intend to wait for his words and actions. Will he be the ‘new and improved ‘ Pope Francis ? I doubt that. I think single issue politics can be hazardous
even while I see LBGT protections as a human rights concern, I am also heartened by the apparent embrace of Catholic Social teaching . Let’s hope for happy surprises from Leo whilst girding ourselves against the Church Militant.