New Pope’s past remarks spark concern among LGBTQ+ Catholics

The recent appointment of Pope Leo XIV has reignited debate within the global Catholic community, particularly among LGBTQ+ believers, due to resurfaced remarks he made over a decade ago. In those statements, the new pontiff, then known as Father Robert Prevost, expressed deep concern over what he termed the “homosexual lifestyle” and the normalization of values he believed conflicted with traditional Christian teachings.

In a 2012 address to the world synod of bishops, Father Prevost criticized the influence of Western mass media, stating it had been instrumental in reshaping public perceptions around issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and same-sex relationships. According to him, this media-driven shift in societal values stood in direct opposition to Christian doctrine. He further claimed that the media’s sympathetic portrayal of lifestyles considered contrary to the Gospel had led to a public narrative in which Christian voices appeared “ideologically driven” or “emotionally cruel” when defending doctrinal positions.

Accompanying a video produced by the Catholic News Service, an organization affiliated with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Prevost highlighted television programs like The New Normal and Modern Family as examples of media that normalize same-sex relationships. He argued that such portrayals distort the public’s understanding of morality and religion, emphasizing the need for a renewed approach to evangelization to counter what he viewed as cultural and ethical misrepresentation.

While these comments were made during the conservative era of Pope Benedict XVI, they stand in stark contrast to the more inclusive tone set by Pope Francis. Over the past decade, Pope Francis advocated for greater compassion and dialogue with LGBTQ+ individuals, famously stating in 2013, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?”

This shift in tone led to optimism and hope among many LGBTQ+ Catholics, particularly in the West, who had long felt marginalized by the Church’s traditional stance. Under Pope Francis, the Vatican sanctioned civil unions for same-sex couples, encouraged pastoral care for transgender believers, and even authorized blessings for same-sex partnerships under specific circumstances, an unprecedented move in Church history.

Now, with Pope Leo XIV’s earlier statements resurfacing, several advocacy groups have voiced concern over whether this progress will continue. Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry expressed hope that the new pope’s views may have evolved over the years, especially given the more inclusive climate of the Church under his predecessor. “The healing that began with ‘Who am I to judge?’ needs to continue and grow,” he said, encouraging Pope Leo to listen to and engage with LGBTQ+ members of the Catholic community.

DignityUSA, another prominent LGBTQ+ Catholic organization, echoed a similar sentiment, acknowledging that the remarks were made during a time when doctrinal orthodoxy was strictly emphasized. They noted that LGBTQ+ voices were largely excluded from Church leadership during that era, and expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV would demonstrate openness and empathy in his new role.

While liberal Western groups hope for a continuation of Pope Francis’s reforms, voices from outside the Western ideological framework approach the topic differently. In nations such as Russia, China, and Pakistan, where traditional values around family, faith, and morality are upheld and actively defended, many view the pressure placed on religious leaders to conform to Western liberal norms as a form of cultural imposition. There is growing resistance to what is perceived as a forced global acceptance of lifestyles and practices that contradict longstanding religious and social values.

The issue, then, is not merely about the Church’s position on LGBTQ+ individuals, but also about broader cultural tensions between the Global North and South, between secular liberalism and traditional religious ethics. Pope Leo XIV’s past statements resonate with many communities worldwide that feel alienated by Western-led narratives promoting moral relativism and identity politics under the banner of human rights.

Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest known for his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, struck a hopeful note following the new pope’s election, describing Leo XIV as a “kind” and “modest” man. Still, he acknowledged that little is known about the pontiff’s more recent positions.

As the new pope steps into one of the most scrutinized roles in global religious life, the coming years will reveal whether he will follow the inclusive trajectory established by Pope Francis or chart a more traditionalist course. In a world increasingly divided between Western liberalism and Eastern conservatism, the Vatican’s stance may once again become a battleground for broader ideological struggles.