Shocking LGBTQ+ Remarks by Pope Leo XIV Resurface Amid Hopes for a More Inclusive Church

As Pope Leo XIV settles into his historic role as the first American pontiff, global attention has rapidly turned toward his stance on a range of pressing moral and social issues. While his inaugural address struck tones of unity, bridge-building, and universal love, his documented past remarks on LGBTQ+ matters are now resurfacing—and they paint a more complex, and at times contradictory, picture of the Church’s newest leader.

Elected on May 8 as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost—has inherited not only the massive spiritual weight of guiding 1.3 billion Catholics but also the cultural challenge of navigating a deeply divided world. This includes internal divisions within the Church itself, particularly when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion, gender identity, and the evolving definition of family in the modern era.

Reverend Michele Falcone, a close friend and mentee of the new pope, described Leo XIV in an interview with The New York Times as a man of “dignified middle of the road” philosophy—someone poised to bridge the chasm between progressive reforms and conservative traditions. It’s a diplomatic image, to be sure, but one that becomes more contested as reporters and advocates unpack statements Leo made over the past decade.

In 2012, during his tenure as Archbishop of Chiclayo in Peru, then-Cardinal Prevost spoke out strongly against what he described as the Western media’s “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel.” He directly criticized what he referred to as the “homosexual lifestyle” and expressed concern over “alternative families” made up of same-sex parents and adopted children.

That same year, he also vocally opposed a government initiative in Peru aimed at including gender identity topics in school curricula. “The promotion of gender ideology is confusing,” he told a local news outlet, “because it seeks to create genders that don’t exist.”

These remarks are now receiving renewed scrutiny. LGBTQ+ advocates and progressive Catholics have expressed concern that such comments may signal an unwillingness by the new pontiff to fully embrace the growing calls for inclusion within the global Church.

At the very least, critics suggest, these statements place Leo XIV closer to the conservative wing of the clergy, who have long resisted changing the Vatican’s traditional positions on sexuality and gender.

But the timing of Leo’s election is significant. He succeeds Pope Francis, who—while by no means a radical—managed to steer the Church toward a more open dialogue with the LGBTQ+ community. In 2013, Francis famously responded to a question about gay clergy by saying, “Who am I to judge?”

That phrase became a global touchstone, a moment of unexpected humility that offered hope to many Catholics who had felt alienated by Church doctrine. Over time, Francis took additional steps, including permitting priests to bless LGBTQ+ couples and allowing transgender individuals to receive baptism, provided it did not cause scandal among the faithful.

Still, even Francis stumbled. He approved the release of a controversial Vatican document in April 2024 that declared gender transition surgeries and the concept of gender fluidity as violations of human dignity.

The decision sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates and theologians alike, suggesting that even a more progressive papacy remained constrained by long-standing doctrine.

In that context, Pope Leo XIV’s path forward appears uncertain. While his past remarks raise red flags, his more recent behavior indicates a possible shift—or at least a softening in tone. Earlier this year, he made headlines on X (formerly Twitter) when he publicly criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance, denouncing the latter’s use of the theological principle “ordo amoris”—or the ranking of love—as justification for Trump-era immigration policies.

One of the articles Leo shared was pointedly titled, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”

This act was not only a subtle theological correction but also a clear statement of Leo’s priorities: he aligned himself with a gospel message that emphasized unconditional love, particularly toward marginalized communities. While not directly about LGBTQ+ issues, the gesture was widely interpreted as a sign that the new pope may prioritize compassion over judgment in his approach to controversial subjects.

Indeed, several public figures and Catholic leaders have expressed optimism. Father James Martin, a well-known Jesuit priest and advocate for LGBTQ+ Catholics, posted on X after the election: “I know Pope Leo XIV to be a kind, open, humble, modest, decisive, hard-working, straightforward, trustworthy, and down-to-earth man.”

Martin’s words carried weight, given his long-standing efforts to push for greater inclusion in the Church.

GLAAD, one of the world’s most prominent LGBTQ+ media advocacy groups, also released a statement shortly after Leo’s election. Its president and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, said, “The Roman Catholic Church stands on the threshold of a hopeful and inclusive new chapter.”

She further emphasized the opportunity Leo now holds to “inspire billions around the world and further embrace LGBTQ people with compassion, dignity, and love.”

Nevertheless, the question remains: will Pope Leo XIV act on that opportunity? While he has not made any explicit policy declarations regarding LGBTQ+ rights or gender identity since ascending to the papacy, all eyes are on his first year as a possible barometer for future change.

His experience as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops—where he advised Pope Francis on global bishop appointments—shows a man capable of navigating complex ideological landscapes, but whether he will choose to shift the Church’s official stance or simply soften its tone remains to be seen.

What complicates matters further is the deep polarization within Catholicism itself. In many parts of Europe and North America, congregations and younger Catholics have increasingly pushed for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion, while bishops in Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe have doubled down on traditional doctrines.

As a pope with both American roots and Latin American pastoral experience, Leo XIV is uniquely positioned—but also politically pressured—to find a path that doesn't fracture the Church further.

The renewed focus on his 2012 remarks underscores the larger challenge facing any modern pope: the internet never forgets. As Catholics, LGBTQ+ advocates, and political observers comb through his past, Pope Leo XIV’s ability to evolve in public view—and guide the Church toward deeper compassion without alienating its conservative base—may define his legacy.

In a Church where doctrine moves slowly and symbolism carries enormous weight, even minor shifts in tone can echo around the globe. Whether Leo XIV’s past remarks will haunt his papacy or be reinterpreted as part of a larger transformation is not yet clear. But what is clear is this: the world is watching, and the pressure on the new pope to lead with empathy, clarity, and courage has never been greater.