Advocates for theLGBTQ+ community praised Pope Francisfor his outreach and credited him with moving the Catholic Church away from condemnation and towards tolerance and embrace. Now, the outlook is murkier asPope Leo XIVsucceeds Francis as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, but advocates say they remain hopeful that he will echo the late pontiff's approach onLGBTQ+ issues, one that distinguished Francis from his more conservative predecessors. "We're going to take a wait-and-see approach," said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, a national Catholic outreach group promoting LGBTQ acceptance and equity. "There's a great possibility that he will have a positive effect on LGBTQ ministry." The new pope hasn't said much on the subject, and what little he has said has indicated a less open attitude. But advocates point out that those statements were made years ago. According to the College of Cardinals Report, Leo, as Robert F. Prevost, expressed concerns in 2012 that Western culture promoted "sympathy for beliefs and practices that contradict the gospel" regarding the "homosexual lifestyle" and "alternative families made up of same-sex partners and their adopted children." At the time, Prevost served as leader of the church's Order of Saint Augustine. Pope Leo XIV:Voting history sparks speculation on political affiliation "2012 was really a different time in our church and in our society," said Meli Barber, president of Dignity USA, a national organization working for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church and society. "I'm hoping that, considering how close he was toPope Francis, that his thinking has changed." She and DeBernardo said they are heartened by Pope Leo's apparent commitment to Francis' embrace of synodality and social justice. (Synodality refers to collaboration and encourages bishops to consult with all Catholics, including parishioners and priests.) But when it comes to his views on LGBTQ issues specifically, they say, there isn't yet enough information. "Without knowing anything further about his stance, I just choose to be hopeful that his thinking has evolved and that we will see a continuation of the Francis way and not see any backsliding on LGBTQ issues," Barber said. "I don't think we know enough at this point." DeBernardo said Leo's promotion of synodality in the church could indirectly yield positive results for LGBTQ people. "His concern for the poor, and for those economically and politically marginalized, are important and I'm really happy to see he has a social justice frame of mind," he said. "I hope he will meet and listen to LGBTQ Catholics so that his mind might be expanded on these issues." DeBernardo was among a delegation who met with Pope Francis last fall, describing the pontiff as engaged and supportive of the group, which included members of the transgender and intersex communities. That the meeting took place at all was a striking shift from 1999, when the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith – led by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who become Pope Benedict XVI –barredthe organization's founders, Sister Jeannine Gramick and Father Robert Nugent, from conducting pastoral outreach to gay people. Shortly after becoming pope in 2013, Francis famously replied "Who am I to judge?" when pressed by a reporter on the subject of gay priests, and in December 2023 issued a declaration allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. His embrace of a traditionally marginalized community "rang loudly around the globe," New Ways Ministry said. After Pope Francis' declaration, according to the College of Cardinals Report, Leo stressed the need to give bishops authority to interpret and apply directives in their local communities, given wide-ranging cultural differences. "I think he will continue Pope Francis' message of welcoming and compassion for the LGBTQ community," DeBernardo said, "but I don't think he's going to actively promote LGBTQ issues in the way Pope Francis did, by making dramatic statements or gestures." In other words, while he doesn't expect Leo to clamp down on the church's LGBTQ ministry or outreach, he also doesn't think LGBTQ issues will be high on the agenda for him either. "For me, that's a good thing," he said. "Not the best thing – but a good thing. As long as he allows LGBTQ ministry to go forward, I don't think any harm will be done." After Francis was elected in 2013, DeBernardo noted, comments the pope had made in his native Argentina similarly came to light that indicated a disapproving stance on marriage equality issues. Those comments turned out to be a false alarm. "There's always the idea that when someone reaches the top, they feel they can address controversial issues in the way they want to rather than the way they're supposed to," DeBernardo said. "That's why I say there's a great possibility that he has changed. The day after Francis was elected, no one would have guess he would be the gay liberation pope." Contributing: Danae King, The Columbus Dispatch This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Pope Leo XIV on LGBTQ+ issues: Advocates have hope
