The Pontiff has dismissed any immediate prospect of change in the Vatican's stance on LGBT+ rights. It's one of many views he's discussed openly with Vaticanist Elise Ann Allen that are contained in a new book "Pope Leo XIV - The Biography."
"It seems to me very unlikely, at least in the near future, that the doctrine of the Church will change its teachings on sexuality and marriage".
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This is how Pope Leo XIV responds, solicited on the subject of Lgbtq+ rights in an interview with Vaticanist Elise Ann Allen, contained in the book "Pope Leo XIV - The biography" produced after a series of meetings at Castel Gandolfo, and now released in Italian.
"I must confess that the issue remains in the background of my thoughts because, as we saw at the Synod, within the Church any theme related to the Lgbtq reality is highly polarising. For now, in coherence with what I have already tried to witness and live as Pope at this moment in history, I try not to fuel polarisation in the Church," the Pontiff explained.
The Pope continued: "What I mean to say is what [Pope] Francis stated very clearly with that: 'Todos, todos'. Everyone is invited in, but not as an expression or non-expression of a specific identity. I invite a person because he or she is a son or daughter of God. Everyone is welcome, and we can get to know and respect each other. People want Church doctrine to change and they want attitudes to change: I believe that we must first change attitudes, before even thinking about changing what the Church teaches on a particular issue."
Prevost is clear that this is "a controversial issue, and that some people will make demands such as: 'We want recognition of gay marriage', or 'we want recognition of trans people', so that they will be officially welcomed and approved by the Church".
"Individuals will be welcomed and received," Leo XIV makes clear in an excerpt published by La Repubblica. "Any priest will hear in confession people of all kinds, with all kinds of difficulties, life situations and choices made. The teaching of the Church will continue to remain as it is and for now I have nothing more to add on this point."
The Trump presidency and inequalities in the world
During the interview, the Pontiff was also asked for his opinion on the US presidency of Donald Trump: "It is impossible for the Pope to enter into the affairs of individual countries, it would be much more appropriate for the leadership of the Church in the United States to engage with him in a serious and thorough manner. I would say the same of any government."
Another topic addressed in the conversation with Allen was migrants. "One of the most significant initiatives Pope Francis took towards the end of his pontificate was the letter on the treatment of migrants. I was very pleased to see how the US bishops embraced it and how some of them had the courage to carry out its message."
Leo XIV then emphasised the need to address "urgently" the issues of "the looming crisis with technology, artificial intelligence, the world of work, the possibility of guaranteeing sufficient jobs for all. If we automate the entire planet and only a few have the means to live well and lead a meaningful existence and not just enough to survive, then yes, there is a big problem, an enormous problem looming on the horizon'.
