What's the new Pope Leo XIV's stance on LGBTQ+ and women’s rights? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Pope Leo XIV (Robert Provost): The newly elected Pope, the first American and Peruvian pontiff, formerly Robert Provost, aged 69.
• Papal Conclave: The process by which cardinals of the Catholic Church elect a new Pope. The transcript mentions the "paradoxes of the conclave" where front runners often don't win.
• Habemus Papam: Latin for "We have a Pope," the announcement made when a new Pope is chosen, signified by white smoke.
• Papabile: An Italian term used to describe a cardinal considered a likely candidate to be elected Pope.
• Missionary Church: A concept emphasizing the Church's outreach and evangelization efforts, particularly to marginalized communities. Pope Leo XIV is expected to focus on this, drawing from his experience in Peru.
• Synods: Councils or assemblies within the Catholic Church where bishops and other representatives discuss church matters. Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue work through these, following Pope Francis's approach.
• LGBTQ+ in the Catholic Church: A significant topic of discussion, focusing on Pope Francis's efforts to open doors for blessings for same-sex couples (without changing doctrine) and the expectations for Pope Leo XIV.
• Church Doctrine vs. Pastoral Approach: The distinction between formal Church teachings (doctrine) and the way the Church ministers to and interacts with people (pastoral approach). Pope Francis was noted for changing the latter regarding LGBTQ+ issues.
• Reforms of Pope Francis: Changes and initiatives undertaken by Pope Francis during his 12-year tenure, which Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue.
• Immigrant Pope: A term used to describe Pope Leo XIV, highlighting his American birth and subsequent move to Peru, where he became a citizen.
• New Ways Ministry: A Catholic outreach organization advocating for equity among LGBTQ+ people, represented in the transcript by its executive director, Francis DeBernardo.

Election and Profile of Pope Leo XIV

The Catholic Church has a new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, following the traditional "Habemus Papam" announcement, signified by white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. The newly elected Pope is Robert Provost, 69 years old, born in Chicago, USA. He became a priest in 1983 and, three years later, moved to Peru. In Peru, he became known for his dedicated work with marginalized groups and poorer communities, eventually becoming a Peruvian citizen. This makes him the world's first American and Peruvian Pope. His first papal address in St. Peter's Square emphasized "peace and unity," calling on people to "help one another to build bridges through dialogue through encounters uniting all of us to be one people always in peace." He is now the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide and was known as a close confidant of the late Pope Francis.

Initial Reactions and Global Significance

The announcement of Pope Leo XIV elicited strong emotions. Tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square expressed excitement and hope. One attendee stated, "I hope he will be a great successor to Pope Francis." Another shared, "My friend and I came to experience this historic moment to feel that we have a shepherd again who accompanies and guides us."

In the United States, then-President Donald Trump posted congratulations on Truth Social, calling the election "a great honor for our country."

In Peru, where Pope Leo XIV worked extensively and holds citizenship, the reaction was one of "indescribable joy." Peruvians expressed happiness that "a pope has Peruvian nationality" and that he "decided to be Peruvian." One individual was "moved to tears" when Pope Leo XIV mentioned Chiclayo (a city in Peru) and Peru in his first address. The hope among Peruvians is that he will "follow the example of the previous pope above all thinking of the people of their welfare."

Perspectives from Vatican City (Jack Parrick's Report)

DW's Jack Parrick, reporting from Vatican City, provided insights into the atmosphere and initial analysis following the election.

• The Conclave Outcome: The night in Rome was abuzz with discussions about the new Pope. While there was "clear jubilation" and excitement, there was also "some mild shock at the candidate that came out." Parrick highlighted a "paradox of the conclave" where "the front runners almost never become pope." Robert Provost was considered a "compromised candidate" among the "papabile" (candidates able to be Pope).
• Peruvian Connection and Missionary Focus: Pope Leo XIV's connection to Peru is significant. In his first appearance, he spoke in Italian (as expected) and Spanish, specifically mentioning the region of Peru where he lived, but not English, despite being the first American Pope. This has led to discussions of him being an "immigrant pope." He is expected to continue the reforms of Pope Francis, particularly focusing on missionary work, leveraging his personal experience. This work is anticipated to be done through "synods, which are kind of councils within the Catholic Church."
• Relationship with US Politics: Regarding his stance on the Trump administration, Pope Leo XIV had recently been "quite outspoken," even tweeting at Vice President JD Vance on a "theological question over whether all Jesus asks all his people to love everyone equally," contrasting with Vance's suggestion of a "hierarchy of love based on family values." While President Trump congratulated him, Vatican insiders and observers do not believe he will be an "American aligned pope." His primary role is emphasized as leading the Catholic Church on a "spiritual and religious basis."

Implications for the LGBTQ+ Community (Francis DeBernardo's Insights)

Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director of New Ways Ministry, discussed the potential impact of Pope Leo XIV on LGBTQ+ Catholics.

• Building on Pope Francis's Legacy: Pope Francis did not formally change church doctrine for the LGBTQ+ community but "opened the door to blessings for same-sex couples" and, more importantly, "changed the hearts and minds of many Catholics including Catholic leaders in their approach to LGBTQ topics." DeBernardo expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV "will follow in Francis's footsteps," though perhaps not as "strong an advocate." He believes the new Pope "certainly won't do any harm to the LGBTQ community as previous popes had done."
• Addressing Past Conservative Remarks: A 2012 quote from then-Robert Provost was raised, where he "regretted the Western media expressed sympathy for beliefs and practices that contradicts the gospel," which sounded conservative. DeBernardo acknowledged this as "disappointing" but suggested that "a lot can change in the 13 years that have passed" and cited the "influence that Pope Francis had on the Catholic Church in those intervening years." New Ways Ministry is "willing to give him the benefit of the doubt" and "wait to see if the new pope has a more welcoming attitude."
• The Path to Inclusivity and Doctrinal Change: DeBernardo argued that the "change of hearts and minds" initiated by Pope Francis "is very much needed before doctrine can change." He hopes Pope Leo XIV "will continue to educate church leaders particularly about the the wholeness and holiness of LGBTQ lives," acknowledging that "there's still around the world a lot of opposition to LGBTQ people even among Catholic leaders."
• Global Influence of the Papacy: The Pope's "style" can significantly influence local church leaders. DeBernardo believes that if Pope Leo XIV "listens to the LGBTQ community" and "takes on the attitude that all are welcome in the Catholic Church, then I think that he can influence local leaders to become much more inclusive." This influence extends even to "countries where homosexuality is punishable by death," where a Pope can have a "strong power, a strong voice." He referenced Pope Francis's statement that "it is not a crime to be a gay person."

Conclusion/Synthesis

The election of Pope Leo XIV (Robert Provost) marks a significant moment for the Catholic Church, bringing a leader with a unique American-Peruvian background and extensive missionary experience. He is widely expected to continue the reformist path of his predecessor, Pope Francis, focusing on a missionary church and utilizing synods for church governance. While his past conservative statements on social issues have been noted, there is cautious optimism, particularly from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, that he will build upon Pope Francis's efforts to foster a more inclusive pastoral approach, even if immediate doctrinal changes are unlikely. His leadership will be closely watched for its impact on global Catholicism, his engagement with political landscapes, and his ability to navigate the tensions between tradition and reform, especially concerning issues like LGBTQ+ inclusion and the Church's role in a diverse world. The emphasis remains on his spiritual and religious leadership for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.