{"id":2481390,"date":"2025-09-02T10:08:59","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T14:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pope-leo-xiv-expresses-support-for-lgbt-inclusion-in-catholic-church\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T10:09:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T14:09:46","slug":"pope-leo-xiv-expresses-support-for-lgbt-inclusion-in-catholic-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pope-leo-xiv-expresses-support-for-lgbt-inclusion-in-catholic-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope Leo XIV expresses support for LGBT inclusion in Catholic Church"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpope-leo-xiv-expresses-support-for-lgbt-inclusion-in-catholic-church%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2481390&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>the article reports that Pope Leo XIV has expressed his support for the inclusion of the LGBT community within the catholic Church, continuing the approach initiated by Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIV recently met with Rev.James Martin, a priest known for advocating LGBT acceptance in the Church and author of the book *Building a Bridge*, which promotes respect, compassion, and sensitivity toward LGBT individuals. Martin described the meeting as positive and encouraging, noting Pope Leo&#8217;s desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ individuals. While previously, as Cardinal Robert Prevost, he had expressed criticism of the &#8220;homosexual lifestyle,&#8221; his views evolved after becoming a cardinal in 2023, aligning more closely with Pope Francis&#8217;s inclusive stance. Pope Leo emphasized that Church doctrine remains unchanged but affirmed the need for the church to be more open and welcoming, ensuring no one is excluded based on lifestyle or personal choices. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Pope Leo XIV expresses support for LGBT inclusion in Catholic Church<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2215764\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pope-leo-xiv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pope Leo XIV<\/a> showed he would continue Pope Francis&rsquo;s policy of welcoming the LGBT community to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/catholic-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Catholic<\/a> Church.<\/p>\n<p>Leo <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/pope-leo-james-martin-lgbtq-holy-year-f54bbf057757bdb7230802a8d5d77242\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">met<\/a> with the Rev. James Martin, a priest known for his LGBT advocacy, on Monday, according to the <em>Associated Press<\/em>. Martin is also known for his book <em>Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter Into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity. <\/em>In it, Martin <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cathedralbookstore.org\/building-a-bridge-how-the-catholic-church-and-the.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">says<\/a> Catholics foster a relationship with the LGBT community instead of identifying them as &ldquo;the other&rdquo; and welcome them to the Catholic community.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3789414\/democrats-target-susan-collins-stock-trading-ban\/\">Democrats target Susan Collins over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-stays-out-of-congressional-stock-trading-debate\/\" title=\"Biden Stays Out of Congressional Stock Trading Debate\u00a0\">congressional stock trading ban<\/a> in new ad<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3787956\/trump-tiktok-deal-hostage-china-trade-talks-deadline-looms\/\">Trump&#8217;s TikTok deal &#8216;hostage&#8217; to China trade talks as deadline looms<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3783742\/trump-fresh-epstein-test-lawmakers-return-dc\/\">Trump faces fresh Epstein test as lawmakers return to DC<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Martin expressed optimism after meeting with Leo and was pleased that he was interested in continuing Francis&rsquo;s outreach efforts with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lgbt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LGBT<\/a> community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; Martin told the <em>Associated Press<\/em>. &ldquo;It was wonderful. It was very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Martin was named a Vatican adviser during Francis&rsquo;s papacy and met with him multiple times, according to the <em>Associated Press<\/em>. He reportedly met with the pope for approximately 30 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>The meeting with Martin and the subsequent decision to follow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pope-francis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Francis<\/a>&rsquo;s policy of welcoming LGBT members marked a pivotal moment for Leo. Previously, while recognized in the Catholic Church as the Rev. Robert Prevost, he was critical of the &ldquo;homosexual lifestyle&rdquo; in comments from 2012, the <em>Associated Press<\/em> reported. Prevost also condemned popular culture, societal, and media efforts that went against Catholicism and promoted the acceptance of homosexual relationships.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>However, his <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >opinions reportedly evolved<\/a> when he became a cardinal in 2023, echoing Francis&rsquo;s doctrine regarding LGBT people in the Catholic Church. He supported the pope&rsquo;s policy of not excluding people and admitted that Francis had influenced his views.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3788680\/pope-leo-pandemic-of-arms-prayer-minneapolis-shooting-victims\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>&#8203;&#8203;POPE LEO URGES END TO &lsquo;PANDEMIC OF ARMS&rsquo; IN PRAYER FOR MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING VICTIMS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Given many things that have changed, I would say there&rsquo;s been a development in the sense of the need for the church to open and to be welcoming,&rdquo; then-Cardinal Prevost <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/outreach.faith\/2025\/05\/pope-leo-in-2023-all-people-are-welcome-in-the-church\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a>, &ldquo;and on that level, I think Pope Francis made it very clear that he doesn&rsquo;t want people to be excluded simply on the basis of choices that they make, whether it be lifestyle, work, way to dress or whatever.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Doctrine hasn&rsquo;t changed, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hope-oklahoma-putting-bible-back-in-schools-after-louisiana-brings-10-commandments-back\/\" title=\"Hope: Oklahoma Putting Bible Back in Schools After Louisiana Brings 10 Commandments Back\">people haven&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t said, yet, you know, we&rsquo;re looking for that kind of change, but we are looking to be more welcoming and more open, and to say all people are welcome in the church,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pope Leo XIV backs continuing LGBT inclusion in Church<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2481391,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-at-2.29.04-AM.png?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33551,62425,54854,62408],"class_list":["post-2481390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-catholic-church","tag-lgbt-inclusion","tag-pope-leo-xiv","tag-religious-support"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-at-2.29.04-AM.png?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2481390","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2481390"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2481390\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2481394,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2481390\/revisions\/2481394"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2481391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2481390"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2481390"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2481390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}