New American Pope's LGBTQ+ Stance Raises Questions for Queer Catholics
After Pope Francis' progressive legacy, Leo XIV's past comments and social media history offer mixed signals
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago was elected pope on Thursday, becoming the first U.S.-born person to lead the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the papal title of Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old cardinal, who spent much of his clerical life abroad in Peru, emerged after a closely watched conclave following the death of Pope Francis.
For LGBTQ+ Catholics, this transition raises significant questions about whether the Church will continue Pope Francis' more welcoming approach or shift toward more conservative positions. LGBTQ+ Catholics and allies will be watching Pope Leo XIV's early actions and statements carefully. His experience in Peru, where he was praised for supporting Venezuelan immigrants, suggests compassion for marginalized populations. His social media history shows support for progressive causes like climate action and racial justice, though his previous statements specifically on LGBTQ+ issues remain concerning.
The New York Times reported that in 2012, Leo indicated that pop culture created "sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel." In that speech to bishops, he referenced the "homosexual lifestyle" and "alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children."
These past statements have raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates who fear a potential rollback of the modest progress made under Francis' leadership.
However, Leo's social media history as @drprevost, a username that has been deactivated from all social media platforms, reveals a more complex picture. As an active Twitter user since 2011, the new pontiff has expressed progressive views on several social issues, including immigration, climate change, gun control and racial justice.
In February 2025, Leo criticized Vice President J.D. Vance's attempts to find theological justification for the administration's treatment of migrants, writing "Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others." He has also retweeted prayers for George Floyd in 2020 and posted a call for more "leaders in the Church to reject racism and seek justice."
Pope Francis, while maintaining the church's traditional doctrine, made several gestures of openness toward LGBTQ+ people. He famously remarked, "Who am I to judge?" regarding gay priests and met frequently with LGBTQ+ Catholics and advocates. Francis also spoke against the criminalization of homosexuality, calling it "wrong" and describing discrimination as "a sin." He publicly denounced Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act, stating that "violence against the LGBTIQ communities is unacceptable."
Leo is described as representing the "dignified middle of the road," according to the Rev. Michele Falcone, a priest in the Order of St. Augustine, in a recent New York Times article. As a longtime ally of Pope Francis, Leo was appointed in 2023 to lead the influential Vatican office responsible for screening bishop appointments worldwide, considered one of the most powerful roles within the Catholic hierarchy. This appointment thrust Prevost into the global spotlight, positioning him as a frontrunner heading into this month's conclave.
In his first remarks as pope, Leo paid tribute to his predecessor and emphasized values like inclusivity and bridge-building, saying, "We have to seek together to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges and dialogue, always ready to accept, like this great piazza, with its arms, we have to show our charity, presence and dialogue with love."
For Michigan's Catholic LGBTQ+ community, the transition comes at a time when religious exemptions to anti-discrimination protections remain contentious. Catholic institutions in Michigan, including schools and charitable organizations, will be watching closely to see if Leo's leadership signals a shift in policies affecting LGBTQ+ employees and those they serve.
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