Spanish
The Pope Leo XIV met on Monday with one of the most prominent advocates for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church and encouraged his ministry, just days before a scheduled Holy Year pilgrimage of LGBTQ+ Catholics to the Vatican, as a sign of continued welcome in this new pontificate.
The Reverend James Martin, a Jesuit author and editor based in New York, said that León told him that he intended to continue with Pope Francis' LGBTQ+ acceptance policy in the Church and encouraged him to continue with 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, very fun."
The meeting, which lasted approximately half an hour, was officially announced by the Vatican as a sign that Leo wanted it to be made public.
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The audience was significant because it showed a strong signal 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 comment, "Who am I to judge?" about a supposedly gay priest, to his decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, Francis distinguished himself with his message of welcome.
