VATICAN CITY (BN24) — In a clear signal of continuity with his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV told Jesuit priest and LGBTQ advocate Rev. Fr. James Martin on Monday that he intends to uphold the welcoming posture toward LGBTQ Catholics that characterized the papacy of Pope Francis.
The meeting, held at the Apostolic Palace and made public by the Vatican, lasted approximately 30 minutes and underscored Pope Leo’s openness to continuing the path laid by Francis, who made historic gestures toward inclusion during his tenure.
Fr. Martin, a prominent U.S.-based Jesuit author and editor, shared details of the meeting on social media, along with a photo released by Vatican News. He described Pope Leo as “joyful, relaxed and serene,” and said he was encouraged to persist in his ministry advocating for LGBTQ Catholics.
“The message I received was that Pope Leo will be continuing with the same openness and welcome that Francis showed to LGBTQ people,” Martin posted. “He is a joy to be with.”
Speaking later to The Associated Press, Martin reiterated that the new pontiff echoed Pope Francis’ pastoral tone and inclusive stance.
“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 said. “It was wonderful. It was very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun.”
The Vatican’s decision to formally announce the audience was widely seen as a deliberate signal of support. Pope Leo’s move to publicly receive Martin—who has often drawn both praise and criticism for his work with LGBTQ Catholics—demonstrates a clear intent to maintain the Church’s evolving engagement with the LGBTQ community.
Martin is currently in Rome leading a Jubilee pilgrimage with Outreach, the LGBTQ Catholic ministry he directs.
Pope Francis, who died earlier this year, marked a historic shift in the Catholic Church’s tone by emphasizing mercy and pastoral care over doctrinal exclusion. Pope Leo’s early gestures suggest he plans to continue that trajectory, potentially deepening the Church’s relationship with LGBTQ faithful around the world.
