Portrait of Pope Francis
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Pope Francis on LGBTQ+ Issues

Welcoming but doctrinal (strong)

Pope Francis has adopted a notably more accommodating tone regarding LGBTQ+ issues compared to his predecessors, often emphasizing pastoral care and inclusion for LGBTQ+ persons.

He consistently states that God loves all his children just as they are and that being homosexual is not a crime, criticizing laws that criminalize same-sex relationships as "unjust." The Pope calls on Catholic bishops to welcome LGBTQ+ people into the Church and work to end discriminatory legislation.

However, Pope Francis maintains traditional Catholic teaching that homosexual acts are sinful or "intrinsically disordered" and continues to uphold that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman. This creates a nuanced position where he advocates for the dignity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within the community while upholding doctrinal consistency on sexual morality.

Timeline

  1. Pope Francis made his famous "Who am I to judge?" remark in a televised interview regarding gay people.
  2. Stated that Christians owe an apology to LGBTQ+ people and other oppressed groups, urging respect and pastoral accompaniment.
  3. Became the first pontiff to publicly endorse same-sex civil unions as legal protections for same-sex couples.
  4. Criticized laws criminalizing homosexuality as "unjust" in an interview, urging bishops supporting such laws to convert and welcome LGBTQ+ people.
  5. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith confirmed that transgender people can be baptized and allowed the blessing of same-sex couples via the document Fiducia supplicans.

Actions Taken

  1. Policy advocacy
    Publicly endorsed same-sex civil unions as necessary legal protections for same-sex couples.
  2. Advocacy
    Called for the Catholic Church to actively work to end laws that criminalize homosexuality.
  3. Vatican directive
    Approved the document Fiducia supplicans, which permits priests to bless same-sex couples under certain conditions.

Key Quotes

Being homosexual isn't a crime.

Associated Press interview January 25, 2023 — Stating his view on laws criminalizing homosexuality.

It's not a crime. Yes, but it's a sin. Fine, but first let's distinguish between a sin and a crime.

Associated Press interview January 25, 2023 — Differentiating between criminalization and sin regarding homosexuality.

We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are and for the strength that each of us fights for our dignity.

Associated Press interview January 25, 2023 — Affirming the universal love of God for all people.

Who am I to judge?

Televised interview July 1, 2013 — His widely reported initial statement on gay people.

God is Father and he does not disown any of his children.

Letter to Fr. James Martin May 8, 2025 — Responding to a question about what **LGBTQ+** Catholics need to know about God.

Related Positions

  • Gender-Theory Pope Francis has described gender theory and education on gender-affirming surgery as an "ideological colonisation."
  • Catholic-Dignity He emphasizes that the Church must not be a "selective" one, comparing such a church to a "sect."

Comparison

  • Predecessor (Pope Benedict XVI): Francis adopted a significantly more accommodating tone on LGBTQ+ topics than his predecessor, who had taken firmer stances against same-sex unions and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
  • Doctrinal Teaching: Francis has not changed the core Catholic teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman or that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered."