Robert Prevost: First American Pope Leo XIV & LGBTQ+ Issues

2 days after the College of Cardinals collected to elect a brand-new pope, a decision has been made. Robert Prevost has actually been selected, becoming the initial American pope in history. He’s adopted the name Pope Leo XIV.

Robert Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV

He previously acted as a Catholic missionary in South America, CNN records. He worked in Trujillo, Peru, for concerning ten years and then acted as bishop of the Peruvian city of Chiclayo from 2014 until 2023.

“he has actually articulated empathy for the LGBTQ community,” according to the Meidas Touch Network. “while he might cultivate a more inviting environment, he has actually not signified any type of visibility to altering Church teaching on same-sex marriage or the investiture of females,” Meidas Touch records.

LGBTQ+ Concerns and Hopes

Francis DeBernardo, executive supervisor of New Ways Ministry, which works for LGBTQ+ equal rights in the Catholic Church, released a declaration saying it was “disappointing” to hear of the new pope’s 2012 anti-LGBTQ+ remark. “We hope that in the 13 years that have actually passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, that his heart and mind have developed much more gradually on LGBTQ+ issues, and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has actually taken place,” DeBernardo added.

While he recognized Francis, there are some questions regarding his support of LGBTQ+ civil liberties. Francis made a number of pro-LGBTQ+ reforms throughout his papacy. However the brand-new pope has made some anti-LGBTQ+ declarations. In 2012, at a meeting of bishops, “he lamented that Western information media and pop culture promoted ‘sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at probabilities with the scripture,'” The New york city Times reports. He specifically discussed the “homosexual way of life” and “alternate households included same-sex partners and their followed children.” As bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, he objected to a strategy to instruct regarding sex in institutions, saying, “The promotion of sex belief is perplexing, since it seeks to produce genders that don’t exist.”

Past Anti-LGBTQ+ Statements

“We hope that as our church changes from 12 years of a historic papacy, Pope Leo XIV will continue the welcome and outreach to LGBTQ+ people which Pope Francis ushered in,” he proceeded. “The healing that began with That am I to judge? needs to continue and expand to ‘Who am I, otherwise a pal to LGBTQ+ people?'”.

The new pope is from Chicago and is 69. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova College in Pennsylvania, then received a diploma in theology at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.

Hopes for LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

In addition, the voices of LGBTQ people were seldom listened to at that degree of church management. We hope that Pope Leo XIV will certainly demonstrate a determination to listen and expand as he begins his brand-new duty as the leader of the global Church.”.

“Allow us keep in our ears the weak voice of Pope Francis that blesses Rome. The Pope who honored Rome, provided his blessing to the whole world that early morning of Easter. God enjoys us.

GLAAD’s Perspective

With Pope Leo XIV’s management, there is an extraordinary possibility to inspire billions around the globe and additional accept LGBTQ individuals with empathy, self-respect, and love,” GLAAD’s CEO and president Sarah Kate Ellis stated in a declaration provided to The Advocate. We are confident to collaborate with Pope Leo, simply as we did with Pope Francis, to aid make sure the Church proceeds to grow as a welcoming home for everybody.”

2 days after the College of Cardinals collected to choose a new pope, a choice has actually been made. The brand-new pope has made some anti-LGBTQ+ declarations. We are hopeful to work together with Pope Leo, just as we did with Pope Francis, to assist ensure the Church continues to expand as an inviting home for everybody.”

“We pray that as our church shifts from 12 years of a historic papacy, Pope Leo XIV will continue the welcome and outreach to LGBTQ+ people which Pope Francis ushered in,” he proceeded. We hope that Pope Leo XIV will show a willingness to expand and pay attention as he begins his new function as the leader of the global Church.”.