Pope Leo XIV Says Marriage is “Between a Man and a Woman”
Pope Leo XIV said marriage is “between a man and a woman” on Friday during a private meeting with the Vatican diplomatic corps that was transcribed for the media. Previously, it was not clear if Leo had dissented from previous remarks in 2012 when he stated concerns about “enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.”
Some traditionalists who felt divided from the church due to Leo’s predecessor’s, Pope Francis’, more loose liturgical style, can now rejoice in the new Pope’s leadership. As analyzed by The Advocate, Francis was friendlier to the LGBTQ+ community by allowing the blessing of same-gender couples, though he stated that they should not resemble weddings and that the blessings were for the people in the relationship rather than the relationship. In 2023, Pope Leo (then Cardinal Robert Prevost) “did not fully endorse or reject” the idea.
Also in 2012, Leo (as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru) objected to plans teaching about gender in school. He believed that “the promotion of gender ideology is confusing because it seeks to create genders that don’t exist.”
Medias Touch Network has stated that Leo “has voiced compassion for the LGBTQ community” and “while while he may foster a more welcoming environment, he has not signaled any openness to changing Church teaching on same-sex marriage or the ordination of women.” However, Leo’s alleged support for minority communities is yet to be seen.
Leo had previously supported Francis’ “call for a more inclusive church and said he didn’t want people excluded just on the basis of their lifestyle,” the AP reports. Much like most conservative leaders, Leo’s support for minorities has been vague, while his actions denying equality has been clear.
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According to the transcription of Friday’s meeting, Leo affirmed the church’s opposition to abortion, saying, “No one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.” Leo looks to support and respect communities as long as they reflect his own values.
Photos courtesy shutterstock and social media
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