What does the pope say about being gay

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 world to summon 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 search forgiveness from gay people and allowed priests to bless same-sex couples.

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

Here's everything you require to know.

What is Francis' legacy on trans rights?

Francis, who died on April 21, was seen as more accepting of Diverse rights than previous popes, including his predecessor Benedict, who viewed gay marriage as a threat to t

'God loves us as we are': Pope says homosexuality is not a crime

Pope Francis has criticised laws that criminalise homosexuality as "unjust," saying God loves all his children just as they are.

Key points:

The Together Nations has repeatedly called for an end to laws criminalising homosexuality
Pope Francis' comments are the first uttered by a pope about such laws
67 countries or jurisdictions criminalise consensual same-sex sexual activity

The head of the Catholic Church also called on Catholic bishops who support such laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

"Being homosexual isn't a crime," he said in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Pope Francis recognized that Catholic bishops in some parts of the planet supported laws that criminalise homosexuality or discriminate against LGBTQ people, and he himself referred to the issue in terms of "sin".

But he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops in particular need to undergo a process of change to recognise the dignity of

Seven Quotes That Make Pope Francis Complicated for LGBTQ+ People

Francis' tenure as pope has also been notable by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community for his adoption of a more conciliatory tone toward LGBTQ+ people than that of his predecessors. "But anyone who utters Christian words without putting them into apply hurts oneself and others," said Pope Francis in

So where does Pope Francis stand on LGBTQ+ people?

ON INCLUSION

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"If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?"

Let's start off with one of the most decisive moments in Francis' papacy for LGBTQ+ people. When asked about gay priests during a spontaneous exchange with the compress , he responded, "If they [gay priests] accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn't be marginalized. The tendency [same-sex attraction] is not the obstacle they're our brothers."¹

The fact that Pope Francis made such a comment – and used the word "gay" in English – was radical, and helped propel significant conversations in parishes and dioce

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 elongated as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, nor given in contexts comparable 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