Popes position on gay marriage

What’s the context?

Some Homosexual Catholics are "disappointed" by the novel 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 call for calm in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza and the unleash 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 explore forgiveness from male lover people and allowed priests to approve same-sex couples.

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

Here's everything you require 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 the "future of humanity."

Soon after his election in 2013, Francis said male lover people should not be dis

Seven Quotes That Build Pope Francis Complicated for LGBTQ+ People

Francis' tenure as pope has also been notable by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender nonconforming and queer (LGBTQ+) group 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 2013.

So where does Pope Francis stand on LGBTQ+ people?


ON INCLUSION

[07/2013]
"If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?"

Let's start off with one of the most crucial 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 decide 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 dioceses on LGBTQ+ equality to this day. But more importantly, his comment place the tone and a

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 associated 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.

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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 even in connection with them”.

It said priests should decide on a case-by-case basis and “should not

Pope Francis has endorsed same-sex couples; or he hasn’t; or he allows them to be blessed but only as separate individuals. The news out of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) obeying the publication of Fiducia Supplicans (a declaration “on the pastoral meaning of blessings”) has been various and confusing.

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the DDF’s beleaguered Prefect, last week had to issue a press discharge “clarifying” the declaration’s reception and interpretation.

Fernández, like Pope Francis, claims to be clear about two things:

  • The blessings discussed in Fiducia Supplicans are not a substitute for marriage — nor should they be bewildered as offering anything sacramental or matched to marriage.
  • The Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality remains unchanged — that is to say, the Church regards gay feelings as regrettable but not sinful. Consummating an do of same-sex devotion is, however, improper because all non-potentially procreative sex and all sex outside of marriage is contrary to God’s will for humanity.

This latter position is consistent with the various stances that individual popes, cardinals, and theologians own taken over the course

What Pope Francis said about controversial issues from queer rights to immigration

Pope Francis, one of the more progressive pontiff's in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday morning at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed.

Francis’ willingness to take a more gradual stance on issues from LGBTQ rights to homosexual marriage to immigration construct him one of the most progressive and authoritative popes of the current era.

Here are memorable moments from Francis' time where he voiced his beliefs on those topics.

Francis' stance on members of the LGBTQ community

In December 2023, Francis formally signed off on allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, he said in a declaration released by the Vatican's office.

The declaration stated, "When people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it. For those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection."

"A blessing suggestions people a means to increase their trust in God. The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy and the closeness

popes position on gay marriage