In his first major reflections on LGBTQ+ Catholics since becoming pope, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the Church must be a home of welcome for everyone, while making clear that Catholic teaching on marriage and sexuality remains unchanged.
Speaking with Crux Senior Correspondent Elise Ann Allen for her new biography Leo XIV: Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century (Penguin Peru), the pope said his approach mirrors that of Pope Francis: an open door rooted in dignity and respect for all, but without doctrinal revision.
“What I’m trying to say is what Francis said very clearly when he would say, todos, todos, todos,” Pope Leo explained. “Everyone’s invited in, but I don’t invite a person in because they are or are not of any specific identity. I invite a person in because they are a son or daughter of God.”
Welcoming Without Polarization
Pope Leo acknowledged that LGBTQ+ questions remain “highly polarizing within the Church,” but insisted that division must be avoided.
“You’re all welcome, and let’s get to know one another and respect one another,” he said, highlighting that acceptance and encounter should come before doctrinal debate.
He also pointed out that some parts of the world, especially in the West, tend to be “obsessed” with sexuality, whereas in many other regions, communities focus on broader social and spiritual concerns.
The Family at the Heart of Teaching
While urging respect for all people, Pope Leo reaffirmed the Catholic understanding of marriage as a sacrament between a man and a woman.
“The family is father, mother, and children. The role of the family in society has at times suffered in recent decades, but it must once again be recognized and strengthened,” he said.
The pope recalled the joy of growing up in a stable home with parents married for over 40 years, saying this experience shaped his vocation and ability to foster dialogue.
He also warned against ritual blessings of same-sex unions in some parts of Europe, saying such practices go against Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican document approved by Pope Francis, which affirms that people can be blessed but without formalizing such blessings into liturgical rites.
Inclusion With Fidelity to Doctrine
Jesuit Father James Martin, a noted advocate for LGBTQ+ Catholics, welcomed Pope Leo’s words as a continuation of Pope Francis’s outreach. He praised the pope’s willingness to use terms like “LGBT” and “LGBTQ,” calling it a positive step in language.
Ultimately, Pope Leo stressed that the Church’s path is one of encounter and respect: “It’s very important to understand how to accept others who are different than we are, how to accept people who make choices in their life and to respect them.”
As the new pontiff begins his ministry, he signals both continuity and clarity: a Church that welcomes all without exception, while standing firm in its teaching on marriage and sexuality.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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