Reverend says meeting with Pope about LGBT inclusion was ‘very encouraging’

WorldOpinion
3 Sep 2025 • 7:34 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Pope Leo XIV met with Reverend James Martin, a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, at the Vatican.
  • The meeting suggests Pope Leo will continue the legacy of Pope Francis in fostering a more welcoming Catholic Church for the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Reverend Martin reported that Pope Leo expressed a 'desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people,' mirroring Pope Francis's stance.
  • The Vatican publicly announced the half-hour meeting, which took place just days before an LGBTQ+ Catholic pilgrimage to Rome.
  • Pope Francis previously distinguished his papacy by making the Church more inclusive for LGBTQ+ Catholics, notably by allowing priests to bless same-sex couples.

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