Pope Leo meets LGBTQ+ Catholic advocate and vows continuity with Pope Francis' legacy of welcome

Source: AP

By NICOLE WINFIELD
Updated 5:51 AM CDT, September 1, 2025

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV met Monday with one of the most prominent advocates for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church and encouraged his ministry, just days before a planned Holy Year pilgrimage of LGBTQ+ Catholics to the Vatican in a sign of continued welcome in this new pontificate.

The Rev. James Martin, a New York-based Jesuit author and editor, said Leo told him he intended to continue Pope Francis’ policy of LGBTQ+ acceptance in the church and encouraged him to keep up 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 a lot of fun.”

The meeting, which lasted about a half-hour, was officially announced by the Vatican in a sign that Leo wanted it made public.



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