New Pope Doubles Down on Homophobia

Pope Leo XIV may have stepped onto the Vatican balcony as a symbol of a new era, but his words are stuck in the past. In his first major address since becoming pontiff, the first American pope declared that the “family is founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman”—a dog whistle that landed like a thunderclap across the LGBTQ+ world. While the Catholic Church’s stance against gay marriage isn’t new, the tone-deaf timing of such a statement, right at the dawn of his papacy, felt like a slap in the face to queer believers who had cautiously hoped for better.

Leo XIV—born Robert Prevost—addressed over 200 nations’ diplomats last Friday in what was supposed to be a unifying moment. Instead, he doubled down on traditional views that have long alienated queer Catholics. He stressed the Church’s “respect for the dignity of every person,” but that dignity, it seems, stops short at equal recognition for LGBTQ+ families. The irony isn’t lost on those who remember Pope Francis’ more nuanced, if flawed, approach to the community.

The LGBTQ+ Hope—and the Harsh Reality

Pope Francis had his critics, but he cracked open the Vatican door just wide enough for hope to slip through. With remarks like “Who am I to judge?” and open condemnation of laws criminalizing homosexuality, Francis offered a refreshing—if limited—departure from prior doctrine. Leo XIV, however, seems eager to close that door, bolt it shut, and paint it over with patriarchal dogma.

His earlier statements from 2012, criticizing “homosexual lifestyles” and “alternative families,” have aged poorly—especially in a world where queer people have gained legal recognition and social visibility. As head of the Augustinian order at the time, Leo XIV’s disdain for media that depicted same-sex families was loud and clear. That was over a decade ago, but as his latest remarks suggest, he hasn’t evolved much since.

What makes this sting more is that it comes on the heels of Pope Francis’ death, whose papacy was at least marked by attempts to engage in dialogue. Francis was no hero to LGBTQ+ Catholics—he, too, opposed same-sex marriage and endorsed blessings only for individuals, not unions—but compared to his successor, he looks like a revolutionary. “To bless a homosexual-type union, however, goes against the law of the Church,” Francis once said. But he also insisted that “to bless each person, why not?” That subtle distinction meant something to many.

A Cold Future or a Chance for Change?

Leo XIV’s message was crystal clear: don’t expect progress. And yet, queer Catholics are no strangers to spiritual resilience. Even now, many are choosing to stay—some out of faith, others out of defiance. “We hope his opinions and ideas can change,” one believer said, reflecting a sentiment that blends cautious optimism with weary realism.

If the new pope thinks he can preach outdated doctrine without backlash, he hasn’t met the modern LGBTQ+ community. This isn’t just about church policy—it’s about belonging. It’s about the kids growing up queer and Catholic, wondering if there’s room for them at the altar or the dinner table. Leo XIV may think he’s preserving the sanctity of the family, but in reality, he’s reinforcing centuries of exclusion.

The Church cannot simultaneously claim to defend human dignity while erasing the dignity of LGBTQ+ families. If the pope wants to protect the vulnerable, he might start by not vilifying queer love. Until then, queer Catholics will continue to exist—loudly, faithfully, and unapologetically.