Pope Leo XIV Affirms LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Meeting with Jesuit Advocate James Martin Ahead of Holy Year Pilgrimage
- Victor Nwoko
- Sep 1
- 3 min read
Pope Leo XIV met on Monday with Rev. James Martin, one of the Catholic Church’s most prominent advocates for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion, and encouraged his ministry just days before a planned Holy Year pilgrimage of LGBTQ+ Catholics to the Vatican.
Martin, a New York-based Jesuit author and editor, said Pope Leo assured him that he intends to continue Pope Francis’ policy of openness toward LGBTQ+ Catholics. “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 after the half-hour audience. “It was wonderful. It was very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun.”
The Vatican officially announced the private audience, underscoring Pope Leo’s desire for the meeting to be made public. The gesture marked an important sign of continuity with Francis, who throughout his 12-year papacy sought to make the Church more welcoming. From his 2013 remark, “Who am I to judge?” regarding a gay priest, to his decision allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, Francis emphasized inclusion, even while upholding Catholic teaching that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered.”
During his papacy from 2013 to 2025, Francis met Martin several times, appointed him to the Vatican’s communications department, and included him in the synod on the future of the Church. Still, questions lingered about Pope Leo’s stance. Soon after his election in May 2025, past remarks resurfaced from 2012, when as Rev. Robert Prevost he criticized the “homosexual lifestyle” and the role of media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships.
When he became a cardinal in 2023, Prevost clarified his position, acknowledging Francis’ emphasis on inclusion: “He made it very clear that he doesn’t want people to be excluded simply on the basis of choices that they make, whether it be lifestyle, work, way to dress, or whatever.” Prevost stressed that doctrine remained unchanged but affirmed, “We are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church.”
Martin, who worked alongside Prevost during the synod, said he always found him to be inclusive and welcoming. “It’s wonderful to hear this continuation,” he said. Martin added that Leo emphasized priorities of peace and unity, citing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar, and echoed Pope Francis’ well-known phrase describing the Church as open to everyone: “todos, todos, todos.”
Martin co-founded Outreach, a ministry dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion, which is preparing to participate in a major Holy Year pilgrimage this weekend. The event, organized by Italian Catholic group Jonathan’s Tent, will bring about 1,200 LGBTQ+ Catholics to Rome and will feature a Mass at the Jesuit church celebrated by the vice president of the Italian bishops’ conference.
While the pilgrimage is not officially Vatican-sponsored, it appears on the Holy Year events calendar. Officials said the listing is intended as logistical support for pilgrims seeking to pass through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, not as an endorsement.
Nevertheless, the timing of Martin’s audience with Pope Leo and the upcoming pilgrimage highlight a consistent message of outreach to marginalized groups. “The message I received from Pope Leo was that if people were happy with Pope Francis’ approach to LGBTQ Catholics, they’re going to be happy with Pope Leo’s approach,” Martin said. “And he asked me to continue what I’m doing, which was very encouraging.”
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