LGBTI advocates respond to election of Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost
Summary:
A call for inclusion, dialogue, and human dignity
Vatican City, 8 May 2025 – Today, the global LGBTI community and allies around the world are watching closely following the election of Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV, as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
As an organisation committed to the dignity, rights, and inclusion of people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, we recognise the deep spiritual importance of this moment for Catholics worldwide.
Prevost’s previous public remarks regarding LGBTI people and families have caused concern among our communities. Pope Leo XIV was quoted as lamenting that Western news media and popular culture fostered “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel.” In a 2012 address to bishops, he cited the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.” As Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, he vocally opposed inclusive gender education, stating that “gender ideology seeks to create genders that don’t exist.”
Such views stand in sharp contrast to the lived realities of millions of LGBTI Catholics and their families, who continue to seek love, faith, and belonging within the Church.
“With his words and actions, the Pope shapes social attitudes, laws, and lives—not just for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, but across societies. For millions of LGBTI people, his voice can mean either stigma or safety. While we cannot ignore past statements, we also recognise that leadership brings new responsibilities—and with them, new opportunities for listening, learning, and healing.”
Kimberly Frost and Yuri Guaiana, co-Secretaries General at ILGA World
“Pope Prevost now has a profound opportunity to shape a Church that lives more fully into its message of love, compassion, and justice. At ILGA World, together with many LGBTI people and organisations globally, we are already engaged in deep and respectful dialogue with leaders of different faith groups around the world. We look forward to continuing this dialogue, and hope the Catholic Church chooses love over fear, and inclusion over silence.”
Julia Ehrt, Executive Director at ILGA World
Read more: Joint submission on freedom of religion and belief and SOGI rights to the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
