"The Rev. James Martin, a New York-based Jesuit author and editor, said Leo told him he intended to continue Pope Francis' policy of LGBTQ+ acceptance in the church and encouraged him to keep up his advocacy. "I heard the same message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis, which is the desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people," Martin told The Associated Press after the audience. "It was wonderful. It was very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun.""
"The meeting, which lasted about a half-hour, was officially announced by the Vatican in a sign that Leo wanted it made public. The audience was significant because it showed a strong sign of continuity with Francis, who more than any of Leo's predecessors worked to make the Catholic Church a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ Catholics. From his 2013 quip, "Who am I to judge?" about a purportedly gay priest, to his decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, Francis distinguished himself with his message of welcome."
"During his 12-year papacy from 2013 to 2025, Francis met on several occasions with Martin and named him an adviser in the Vatican's communications department and a member of his big multi-year meeting on the future of the church. Still, Francis never changed church teaching saying homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered.""
Pope Leo XIV met with the Rev. James Martin and encouraged his ministry for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church. Leo expressed intention to continue Pope Francis' policy of LGBTQ+ acceptance and urged Martin to persist in his advocacy. The half-hour audience was publicly announced by the Vatican. The visit signaled continuity with Francis, who emphasized welcome while maintaining church teaching that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered." Francis previously named Martin an adviser and included him in major church discussions. Past remarks from 2012 showed earlier criticism of the "homosexual lifestyle."
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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