In an attempt to improve the church's relationship with the LGBTQ+ community, Pope Francis, supreme leader of the Catholic Church, shows a controversial profile when it comes to the inclusion of this group in Catholicism. Based on a detailed investigation, we will analyze Pope Francis' positions regarding the LGBTQ+ community.
In October 2020, the Pontiff surprised the world by showing his support for the creation of laws that ensure civil coexistence for LGBTQ+ people. During an interview for a documentary, the 84-year-old Pope argued that everyone has the right to have a family, and that, as they are children of God, LGBTQ+ people should have access to this right legally.
Still, it is worth noting that this statement by the Pope does not necessarily suggest support for same-sex marriage within the religious context, nor even a change in the doctrine of the Catholic Church, since Catholic marriage is seen as a sacrament.
Therefore, Francis' statement is, in fact, a defense of the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of the Church's recognition of these unions.
However, although he has positioned himself favorably in relation to the community's civil rights, Pope Francis has had his moments of contradiction. At the beginning of 2021, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with the Pope's approval, reinforced the impossibility of blessings for same-sex couples by the church, disappointing many supporters of the cause.
On the other hand, the Pope has already adopted a more inclusive speech on previous occasions. At the beginning of his pontificate, in 2013, Francis uttered the famous phrase – “Who am I to judge?” – When asked about his views on homosexuals.
Another significant step by Pope Francis towards dialogue with the LGBTQ+ community was his private meeting with Diego Neria Lejárraga, a trans man from Spain, in 2015. The Pope contacted Lejárraga directly after receiving a letter from him describing the discrimination he suffered by their local Catholic community.
In short, Pope Francis has a varied record regarding the LGBTQ+ cause. Although he has adopted a more inclusive stance on several occasions, there are times when his actions seem to directly contradict his words.
Over time, we will observe whether the Pontiff will continue to move towards an increasingly progressive stance regarding the rights and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community within the Catholic Church.
