Pope Francis has scored a trifecta of bold depredation. He is now leading a radical reform in how the Catholic Church should be treating LGBTQ people. Since his papacy started in 2013, he’s made a habit of disrupting conventional thinking by asking deep, uncomfortable questions. Yet I believe his approach encourages more acceptance in the church. His shifting position is full of compassion, and yet still controversial – a microcosm of his evolving relationship with the LGBTQ community at large.
The pivotal moment came in July 2013 when Pope Francis asked, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge him?” This question inspired a tidal wave of progressive reform in the Catholic Church’s approach to gay people. It inspired a new mode of incorporation — one filled with empathy and understanding. The Pope’s reluctance to recoil from these issues has generated unprecedented discussions and discourse between dialogue and church.
In August 2021, Pope Francis reached out to Michael O’Loughlin, who has been actively working on LGBTQ issues within the church. In a letter, he praised O’Loughlin’s efforts, stating, “Your work is important. Keep pressing on.” This letter is just one example of how the Pope has stood by those working for greater LGBTQ acceptance.
Significant Meetings and Moments
In October 2023, Pope Francis met with Marianne Duddy-Burke and two other members of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics. During this meeting, he called their work groundbreaking. Duddy-Burke described the encounter as heartfelt.
“He was very warm, and he laughed with us, and he made eye contact through the whole thing,” – Marianne Duddy-Burke
This personal interaction exudes friendliness, humility and understanding, reflecting the Pope’s pastoral and humanistic nature. This is precisely why so many advocates for change within the church identify so intensely with these qualities. Duddy-Burke noted that Pope Francis “sat and held our hands and hugged one of us,” reinforcing the notion that he is committed to fostering inclusivity.
Max Kuzma, a lifelong Catholic and queer/trans advocate, recounts his visit with Pope Francis. He focused on how the Pope’s kind and friendly approach created an immediate impact. Kuzma commented that Pope Francis’ talent for establishing a personal connection is illustrative of a significant shift from previous papacies.
A Dual Narrative of Acceptance and Controversy
Though Pope Francis has taken important steps towards promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people, his comments have still been inflammatory. He has received little backlash for his use of the term “homosexual acts” to call for the execution of gay men. Further, his critiques of what he terms “gender ideology” have earned condemnation from progressive elements of the church.
In 2023, in his state of the world address, the Pope made it clear that trans people should be allowed to be baptized and act as godparents. The move was significant recognition of the emergence of transgender rights within the broader currents of Catholicism. He required that blessings for same-sex couples not look like traditional marriage vows. This limitation has long been irking to many advocates.
These efforts by Pope Francis have at times raised eyebrows worldwide. He has already faced incredible resistance from priests all across Africa and Eastern Europe. This opposition especially focuses on his ruling allowing blessings for same-sex couples. This backlash underscores the challenges faced by leaders who strive to implement change within a diverse and often divided church.
The Future of LGBTQ Acceptance in the Church
These gestures of acceptance from Pope Francis lay the groundwork for more fruitful exchanges. This does indeed create a magnificent precedent for Catholic Church’s relationship with LGBTQ community. For this reason, many are hopeful that his leadership will lead others within the church to adopt similar values. There are still questions about how far these changes will reach into future papacies.
Jason Steidl Jack, a leading scholar of LGBTQ issues in Catholicism, underscored this significant change. Pope Francis is indeed opening doors and encouraging conversations previously unimaginable during the papacies of popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. He pointed to the stunning progress that has been made over the course of Francis’ papacy.
“This is a level of openness that was unthinkable before Pope Francis,” – Jason Steidl Jack
In the years since, Steidl Jack observed Pope Francis becoming more accepting of gay people. He noticed a similar change in the Pope’s overall approach to transgender individuals.
“It’s been a revolution of compassion, a revolution of welcome, and it’s changed the church,” – Jason Steidl Jack
We can’t deny that Pope Francis’ leadership has made huge strides in changing the Catholic Church’s relationship with LGBTQ people. This change reflects broader real-world changes and the ongoing struggle for equality.