Pope about homosexuality

What’s the context?

Some LGBTQ+ Catholics are "disappointed" by the new 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 earth to call for peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza and the release 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 seek forgiveness from gay people and allowed priests to praise same-sex couples.

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

Here's everything you need 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 t

Pope: Church open to all, but 'no' to blessings of same-sex unions

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Pope Francis reiterated his vision of an open Church and the concept of inclusiveness, core to his pontificate, during an interview with Norah O’Donnell, Director of CBS Evening News. Recorded at Santa Marta on April 24 and aired in part on the program "60 Minutes."

"The Gospel is for everyone," he said, including all sinners, and warned that if the Church sets up “customs checkpoints”, it ceases to be the Church of Christ.

Regarding the issue of blessings of queer unions mentioned in the doctrinal document Fiducia Supplicans, he clarified that while blessings are for individuals, same-sex unions cannot be blessed because it would go against “the law of the Church”.

Surrogacy is a business

Regarding homosexuality, the journalist recalled the Pope‘s affirmation that "homosexuality is not a crime." "No. It is a human condition" he commented. And while condemning surrogacy, which he said "has become a business, and this is ver

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 drawn-out 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 ev

‘We are all children of God’: Pope says homosexuality not a crime

Pope Francis has criticised laws that criminalise homosexuality as “unjust”, saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis said during an interview on Tuesday with The Connected Press.

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