New Pope, old attitudes? Leo XIV raises concerns among queer Catholics
The Catholic Church has a new pope. After the death of Pope Francis, his successor was elected on 8 May - the American Cardinal Robert Prevost, who chose the name Leo XIV. He takes office as the 267th Pope at a time when the Catholic Church is facing internal controversy over its treatment of LGBTQ+ people. And it is his past statements that have raised doubts in the queer community about the direction the Church will take under his leadership.
An American with Peruvian citizenship
Robert Prevost is the first American to lead the Catholic Church. He was born in Chicago but spent much of his life as a missionary in Peru, where he also gained citizenship. He was 69 years old at the time of his election and was considered more of a centrist and reformist in the Vatican, close to Pope Francis. His election came as a surprise to many as he was not one of the most frequently mentioned candidates.
Controversial past
Although he has not often spoken out publicly on issues concerning the LGBTQ+ community, he did speak out in 2012 in a way that raises concerns today. According to The New York Times, at the time he criticised media content that he said showed "sympathy for beliefs and practices contrary to the gospel" - specifically mentioning "the homosexual lifestyle" and "alternative families made up of same-sex partners and their adopted children".
These words are spoken in a context where the Catholic Church is teetering between traditional teachings and efforts for greater inclusion, which have been partly represented by Pope Francis over the past decade.
Pope Francis' legacy
Pope Francis has repeatedly spoken out against the criminalization of LGBTQ+ people during his presidency. In one of his most prominent gestures , he condemned Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act as "unjust" and said that "discrimination is a sin and violence against LGBTIQ communities is unacceptable." He met with queer Catholics, their clergy and activists, giving many hope that the Church can become a more open and safe space for LGBTQ+ believers.
On the other hand, however, Francis remained conservative on some issues, and Church doctrine did not fundamentally change during his pontificate.
What to expect from Pope Leo XIV?
In public, the new pope presented himself conciliatorily after his election. "May this greeting of peace reach all your hearts and families... and people all over the world. Peace be with you," he said in his first appearance in St Peter's Square.
The question remains whether this "peace" will extend to the queer community, which has faced not only rejection but also active exclusion in the Catholic Church in the past. Thus, LGBTQ+ Catholics and queer people around the world will be watching closely in the coming weeks to see whether Pope Leo XIV will continue the more inclusive tone of his predecessor, or whether his past statements suggest a return to a more strict, exclusive course.
What is at stake is not just a symbolic gesture, but the actual safety, dignity, and recognition of millions of queer believers around the world.
