Vatican City — September 1, 2025
In a move that underscores continuity with his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV met Monday with Rev. James Martin, a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church. The half-hour audience, officially announced by the Vatican, marks a significant gesture of welcome in the early months of Leo’s papacy.
Rev. Martin, a Jesuit priest and author based in New York, described the meeting as “very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun,” according to The Associated Press. He said Pope Leo expressed support for his ministry and affirmed his intention to continue Pope Francis’ inclusive approach toward LGBTQ+ Catholics.
“I heard the same message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis, which is the desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people,” Martin told the AP.
The timing of the meeting is notable, coming just days before a major Holy Year pilgrimage to the Vatican organized by LGBTQ+ Catholic groups. The event, which includes a Mass celebrated by a senior member of the Italian bishops’ conference, is listed on the Vatican’s official calendar—though not formally endorsed.
🕊️ A Message of Continuity and Unity
Pope Francis, who led the Church from 2013 to 2025, was known for his groundbreaking gestures of inclusion, including his famous “Who am I to judge?” remark and his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples. While Francis did not alter Church doctrine on homosexuality, his pastoral tone marked a shift in the Church’s engagement with LGBTQ+ communities.
Pope Leo’s stance had been uncertain. Prior comments from 2012, when he was still Rev. Robert Prevost, criticized the “homosexual lifestyle.” However, as a cardinal in 2023, he acknowledged Francis’ inclusive vision, stating, “We are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church.”
Martin, who worked with Prevost during the Vatican’s synod on the Church’s future, said he always found him to be “a very open, welcoming, inclusive person.” He added that Leo emphasized his broader priorities of peace and unity, referencing global conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar.
🌍 Mixed Reactions Across the Catholic Spectrum
The meeting drew praise from LGBTQ+ advocates and concern from conservative voices. Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry called the audience “a strong indication that Leo affirms Pope Francis’ welcoming model.” Meanwhile, critics like Taylor Marshall and John-Henry Weston expressed dismay, with Weston labeling the encounter a “nightmare scenario.”
Despite the polarized reactions, Martin remains optimistic. Quoting Francis’ iconic phrase, he said Leo reiterated that the Church is for “todos, todos, todos”—everyone.
As the Church navigates its place in a rapidly evolving world, Pope Leo’s early gestures suggest a commitment to inclusion without doctrinal compromise. Whether this balance will satisfy both reformers and traditionalists remains to be seen.