The tenure of Pope Francis concluded with the same foundational teachings concerning LGBTQ+ individuals as he received, as the Catholic Church continued to reject same-sex marriage and labeled same-sex relations as “intrinsically disordered.” However, unlike his predecessors, Francis gradually indicated through his actions, official statements, and candid comments that he envisioned a church more inviting to LGBTQ+ individuals.
Among LGBTQ+ activists, there was a sense of frustration over the lack of substantial doctrinal change, yet there remained appreciation for Francis’ genuine warmth. Described as a “transformational leader” by Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD, Pope Francis made efforts to engage with LGBTQ people in unprecedented ways.
Conservative Catholic leaders exhibited apprehension towards the pope’s outreach initiatives for the LGBTQ+ community. In particular, their responses were intensified when Pope Francis permitted priests to bless same-sex couples in 2023. African bishops united in opposing the Vatican’s directive, asserting that same-sex relationships contradicted divine intent. Individual bishops in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere also expressed dissent. The directive reiterated the church’s traditional view of marriage as a union between a man and a woman but allowed priests to bless same-sex couples under certain conditions.
Recognizing the resistance to this directive, Pope Francis emphasized dialogue, suggesting that resistance often stems from a lack of understanding. He affirmed in a television interview that God’s blessings are extended to everyone, indicating his support for a more open approach.
Francis’ inclusivity even reached transgender women, many of whom were Latin American migrants working in Rome. They were among those who received VIP seats at his weekly general audiences. Andrea Paola Torres Lopez, originally from Colombia, shared that prior to Pope Francis, the church had been closed off, viewing them in a negative light.
The Vatican’s 2023 synod exemplified Pope Francis’ mixed legacy, as it gathered church leaders and laypeople to discuss future directions without explicitly mentioning LGBTQ+ issues in the final report, highlighting the divide between the pope’s intentions and conservative resistance. During the synod, he met privately with representatives from New Ways Ministry, advocating for LGBTQ+ Catholics, who were encouraged to persist in hope despite setbacks.
While acknowledging some disappointments, Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry recognized Pope Francis as the first pope to speak with tenderness and compassion about LGBTQ+ individuals, emphasizing the global impact of such gestures.
Initially marking a shift from past papacies, Francis’ approach became apparent with his famous “Who am I to judge?” remark in 2013. Prior signs were present during his service as the archbishop of Buenos Aires, where he had supported legal protections for same-sex couples. As pope, he progressively ministered to gay and transgender communities, promoting an inclusive message that everyone is embraced by God.
Although some of Francis’ early decisions on LGBTQ+ matters faced criticism, such as the 2021 Vatican decree against blessing same-sex unions, they later evolved, notably in 2023, affirming such blessings under specific conditions. He also reversed policies on transgender individuals participating in church sacraments, signaling a tentative but evolving embrace by the church.
Francis’ administration addressed global concerns about laws criminalizing homosexuality, advocating for their abolition in a 2023 interview. Despite some bishops’ support for such laws, Francis articulated a need for pastoral transformation, aligning religious teachings with empathy and God’s love.
Advocates like Sarah Kate Ellis of GLAAD welcomed Francis’ statements, viewing them as a plea for global kindness and understanding. Nonetheless, Jamie Manson from Catholics for Choice urged for substantial doctrinal reforms beyond public pronouncements to safeguard LGBTQ+ individuals within the church.
Overall, while Pope Francis’ papacy did not yield a dramatic change in official doctrine, his efforts contributed to evolving conversations about inclusivity, signaling a potential direction for future progress within the church.