The pope on lgbtq

Pope to LGBT Catholics: 'God is Father who does not disown any of his children'

By Linda Bordoni

“God’s style is closeness, mercy and tenderness” Pope Francis said answering three questions put to him by Jesuit Father James Martin who ministers to LGBT Catholics.

On 5 May Father Martin had written to the Pope in Spanish asking him to retort some questions that he is most commonly asked by LGBT Catholics and their families.

He received a hand-written response a couple of days afterward, that was published in the form of a concise interview on Father Martin’s website “Outreach”.

“With respect to your questions,” the Pope wrote, “a very adj response occurs to me.”

Outreach: What would you say is the most important thing for LGBT people to know about God?

Pope Francis: God is Father and he does not disown any of his children. And “the style” of God is “closeness, mercy and tenderness.” Along this path you will find God.

Outreach: What would you like LGBT people to know about the Church?

Pope Francis: I would verb for them to examine

What’s the context?

Some LGBTQ+ Catholics are "disappointed" by the new pontiff's past comments on homosexuality

LONDON - The world was watching as Pope Leo XIV delivered his first mass on Sunday, days after becoming the first American elected pope.

Robert Francis Prevost has used his initial days as leader of the Catholic world to phone for peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of imprisoned journalists.

LGBTQ+ rights groups are now waiting to see if he will follow in the footsteps of the late Pope Francis, who met with trans women, urged the Catholic Church to pursue forgiveness from gay people and allowed priests to bless same-sex couples.

Leo has not discussed LGBTQ+ issues since his election, but previous comments he made about homosexuality have "disappointed" members of the LGBTQ+ faithful.

Here's everything you ask for to know.

What is Francis' legacy on trans rights?

Francis, who died on April 21, was seen as more accepting of LGBTQ+ rights than previous popes, including his predecessor Benedict, who viewed gay marriage as a threat to t

Seven Quotes That Construct Pope Francis Complicated for LGBTQ+ People

Francis' tenure as pope has also been notable by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community for his adoption of a more conciliatory tone toward LGBTQ+ people than that of his predecessors. "But anyone who utters Christian words without putting them into practice hurts oneself and others," said Pope Francis in

So where does Pope Francis stand on LGBTQ+ people?

ON INCLUSION

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"If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?"

Let's start off with one of the most decisive moments in Francis' papacy for LGBTQ+ people. When asked about gay priests during a spontaneous exchange with the press, he responded, "If they [gay priests] accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to evaluate them? They shouldn't be marginalized. The tendency [same-sex attraction] is not the problem they're our brothers."¹

The fact that Pope Francis made such a comment – and used the word "gay" in English – was radical, and helped propel significant conversations in parishes and dioce

Pope Francis allows blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions

The Vatican has approved a landmark ruling to allow Roman Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples as prolonged as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, nor given in contexts related to civil unions or weddings.

A document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office approved by Pope Francis on Monday said such blessings would not legitimise irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomes all.

Pope slams ‘indifference’ towards migrants arriving in Europe by sea

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Pope opens Vatican meeting amid tensions with conservatives

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‘Terrorism’: Israel-Hamas conflict has gone ‘beyond war’ says Pope Francis

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Pope Francis cancels trip to Dubai’s COP28 over health issues

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The document backed “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex” but “this blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not ev