Pope Leo XIV’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues remains unclear

Under Pope Francis, the Vatican approved an improbable LGBTQ+ pilgrimage, but the views of Leo XIV, on an issue that has long divided the Catholic church, are not yet clear.

In early August, Bishop Francesco Savino, vice president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, said he had an audience with Pope Leo and received his explicit approval to proceed with a gay Mass.

On Monday, Leo appeared to confirm that stance during a private audience with the Rev. James Martin, one of Catholicism’s leading voices for LGBTQ+ inclusion. “The message I got is that Pope Leo intends to continue Pope Francis’s message of openness to the LGBTQ+ community,” Martin told The Post after the meeting.

Leo, however, is also facing pressure from those demanding stricter adherence to doctrine.

The group of LGBTQ+ trekkers en route to Rome wrote to the papal household in advance, asking Leo for some public gesture of support. In response, they received a polite acknowledgement. But no promises.

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