“…In the case of Pope Francis, on the first day of his election, no one could find any information about how he approached LGBTQ+ topics. Then on the day after his election, evidence emerged that while he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Bergoglio had made some harsh statements against a campaign to allow same-gender couples to legally marry, going so far as to say that the initiative was “a destructive pretension against the plan of God” and “the machinations of “the Father of Lies” (i.e., Satan) who wanted to “confuse and deceive the children of God.” He recommended that Catholics pray to the Holy Family, asking for their intervention to “succor, defend and join God in this war.”
And arguing against same-gender couples adopting children, he said that children would be “deprived of their human development given by a father and a mother and willed by God.”
Pope Francis said those things? Really?
Yes, the same man who used such harsh language turned out to be the man to wonder “Who am I to judge?” He is the same man who, as pope, eventually supported civil unions for same-gender couples, and authorized Catholic priests to bless people in same-gender relationships? Yes, he is the same man who supported such unions so that the children in those families would have stability and legal protection.
Yes, he is the same man who did so many other wonderful things for LGBTQ+ people, too many to recount here. (For a complete catalogue of everything that Pope Francis said or did concerning LGBTQ+ issues, click here.)
So, while the record does show that the new pope did say objectionable things about gay and lesbian relationships–as well as negative comments about “gender ideology” as a way to uphold the gender binary of male/female–we may yet be surprised by a change of heart that may be on the horizon. Perhaps even his equivocal support for blessings of people in same-gender couples, by giving a weak endorsement of Fiducia Supplicans (the Vatican document which allowed the blessings) but also allowing for bishops to opt out of such rituals, will develop towards stronger support for this practice, or encourage other bishops to vigorously support blessings.
If the history of Pope Francis’ papacy teaches us anything, it is that our God is a god of surprises who has the power to transform hearts and minds, even those of our church’s leaders.
In New Ways Ministry’s statementwelcoming Pope Leo, we expressed hope that perhaps such a change may have already taken place, unbeknownst to the public eye. We stated:
"We pray that, in the 13 years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, his heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues, and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened."
In effect, we are giving him the benefit of the doubt. While his negative statements are clearly hurtful and ill-informed, they certainly do not indicate an obsession with LGBTQ+ issues which could have indicated a reversal of the Francis papacy. And his record of championing the marginalized by the world indicates that he may yet recognize those marginalized by the church.
Moreover, his strong support for continuing Francis’ project of creating a synodal church, which he indicated in his first address as pope, means that he may indirectly be supporting greater conversation about finding a place for LGBTQ+ people in Catholicism.
So, we will “wait and see” what comes next, with hope that God will surprise us yet again. But while we wait, we also suggest that Pope Leo could easily clarify what his approach to LGBTQ+ issues will be by making a strong statement of welcome to LGBTQ+ people. It could be as easy as a mention in a prayer or a homily. Meeting with LGBTQ+ Catholics simply to listen to them would be an even greater signal. Such messages would soothe many who worry that Francis may have been a statistical error as the pope.
LGBTQ+ issues may not be at the top of this new pope’s agenda, or may not even be on the agenda at all. However, it cannot be denied that Pope Francis put LGBTQ+ issues on the Catholic Church’s agenda, having created a generation of Catholic leaders and laity who are no longer afraid to have LGBTQ+ discussions. That legacy is not going to die.”
--Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, May 12, 2025
In a similar vein regarding cutting Medicaid while increasing funding for the largest military in the world, I found Bill Gates comment about Elon Musk, compelling and relevant, "How is it that world's richest man is starving the world's poorest?"(not exact quote, but close).
I received an email this morning from Common Cause North Carolina. They are hosting a meeting next Wed. (May 14) at 6 pm ET to give a debrief on their "People v. Griffin" campaign now that Jefferson Griffin FINALLY conceded the NC Supreme Court race over 6 months after the election. You can register here:
On thr Medicaid vigil- Thr Guardian recently published a think piece on what the writers called the " soft eugenics" of people like Musk and RFK, Jr. Attributing ill health to be individuals ' personal responsibility can be a way of saying that chronically I'll people have brought illness on themselves, and it's better if we just let them die.
I am Jewish--though never practicing--and I became an atheist
at age 9. I never paid any positive attention to Catholicism until the summer of 1978, when John Paul I became pope. (I have always opposed the Church's opposition to sex outside of marriage, gay marriage, birth control, and the like.)
I don't remember exactly why , but I do remember that I got a big lift in my overall outlook from John Paul I's papacy. (I'm guessing that he probably had views similar to those of Pope Francis.) But then, 33 days after he was made Pope, he died. I mourned--not outwardly, but I felt quite bad about his death.
The coronation of Pope Francis felt to me almost like the reincarnation of John Paul I, and I got another boost in outlook, though not as great, from Francis' papacy. And I'm hoping for similar from Leo 14's papacy.
I'm still an atheist, but the rational side of me cares because the Pope is the leader of nearly 20 percent of the world's people, and I expect that--given the numbers of Catholics--another leader like Pope Francis will help make the world a better place.
How about commenting on the scathing reprimand given to Sen Noem by Sen. Chris Murphy during a hearing testimony in the Senate Appropriations subcommittee for Homeland Security?
Down in the dumps the last few days over what I cannot change... But, was happy to hear of Pope Leo XIV becoming the new leader of the Catholic church. But, what came to my mind when the Pope's first words were Peace on Earth my brain compared Trump's first words and actions which communicated F*ck Everyone. Two severely opposite personalities and leadership goals.
In geopolitical terms, the Conclave's choice of Leo XIX reminds me of the choice of John Paul II, a Polish cardinal. By energizing even further resistance to the soviet domination in Poland and other countries under the soviet pale, Conclave's decision in 1978 contributed to the dismantling of the Soviet Union. The choice of Leo XIX is a clear stance on the moral "fork in the road" we have been facing in the US, and elsewhere. While made under different political circumstances, each choice has marked a pivotal time, in 1978 and today.
Pope Leo XIII, who wrote Saint Michael’s Prayer, came from Carpineto Romano. My grandfather Albert Campagne was born there just before Pope Leo XIII’s reign ended in 1903. Pope Leo XIII was a pontiff remembered for his reforming spirit and for his encyclical on the rights of workers.
Even without knowing Pope Leo XIV’s thoughts, it does seem that spending $45,000,000 on a parade while cutting SNAP and Head Start funds, would be anathema to me.
I agree with your thoughts on Marc Elias. He should be a Profile in Courage for sure! His work has saved us since the first Trump regime, and he is still hard at work now to save democracy. Like you, I am hoping that the Pope’s election will be a sign of divine inspiration to America! And I truly hope that it makes our American mainstream churches more vocal and active in standing up for the least of these, and standing against all the cruel policies coming from this latest regime. Whatever the reasons that led the Cardinals to elect him, I’m taking it as more than a coincidence………Thank you for attending the rally in DC. You really do walk the walk, as well as talking the talk!
I loved this interview with Pope Leo's brother, John. Rob Prevost grew up in a Catholic house doing what many Catholic kids did -- or at least we did. It gives insight into our new Pope as a person, as a brother. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbnZ8zz9_og
“…In the case of Pope Francis, on the first day of his election, no one could find any information about how he approached LGBTQ+ topics. Then on the day after his election, evidence emerged that while he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Bergoglio had made some harsh statements against a campaign to allow same-gender couples to legally marry, going so far as to say that the initiative was “a destructive pretension against the plan of God” and “the machinations of “the Father of Lies” (i.e., Satan) who wanted to “confuse and deceive the children of God.” He recommended that Catholics pray to the Holy Family, asking for their intervention to “succor, defend and join God in this war.”
And arguing against same-gender couples adopting children, he said that children would be “deprived of their human development given by a father and a mother and willed by God.”
Pope Francis said those things? Really?
Yes, the same man who used such harsh language turned out to be the man to wonder “Who am I to judge?” He is the same man who, as pope, eventually supported civil unions for same-gender couples, and authorized Catholic priests to bless people in same-gender relationships? Yes, he is the same man who supported such unions so that the children in those families would have stability and legal protection.
Yes, he is the same man who did so many other wonderful things for LGBTQ+ people, too many to recount here. (For a complete catalogue of everything that Pope Francis said or did concerning LGBTQ+ issues, click here.)
So, while the record does show that the new pope did say objectionable things about gay and lesbian relationships–as well as negative comments about “gender ideology” as a way to uphold the gender binary of male/female–we may yet be surprised by a change of heart that may be on the horizon. Perhaps even his equivocal support for blessings of people in same-gender couples, by giving a weak endorsement of Fiducia Supplicans (the Vatican document which allowed the blessings) but also allowing for bishops to opt out of such rituals, will develop towards stronger support for this practice, or encourage other bishops to vigorously support blessings.
If the history of Pope Francis’ papacy teaches us anything, it is that our God is a god of surprises who has the power to transform hearts and minds, even those of our church’s leaders.
In New Ways Ministry’s statementwelcoming Pope Leo, we expressed hope that perhaps such a change may have already taken place, unbeknownst to the public eye. We stated:
"We pray that, in the 13 years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, his heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues, and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened."
In effect, we are giving him the benefit of the doubt. While his negative statements are clearly hurtful and ill-informed, they certainly do not indicate an obsession with LGBTQ+ issues which could have indicated a reversal of the Francis papacy. And his record of championing the marginalized by the world indicates that he may yet recognize those marginalized by the church.
Moreover, his strong support for continuing Francis’ project of creating a synodal church, which he indicated in his first address as pope, means that he may indirectly be supporting greater conversation about finding a place for LGBTQ+ people in Catholicism.
So, we will “wait and see” what comes next, with hope that God will surprise us yet again. But while we wait, we also suggest that Pope Leo could easily clarify what his approach to LGBTQ+ issues will be by making a strong statement of welcome to LGBTQ+ people. It could be as easy as a mention in a prayer or a homily. Meeting with LGBTQ+ Catholics simply to listen to them would be an even greater signal. Such messages would soothe many who worry that Francis may have been a statistical error as the pope.
LGBTQ+ issues may not be at the top of this new pope’s agenda, or may not even be on the agenda at all. However, it cannot be denied that Pope Francis put LGBTQ+ issues on the Catholic Church’s agenda, having created a generation of Catholic leaders and laity who are no longer afraid to have LGBTQ+ discussions. That legacy is not going to die.”
--Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, May 12, 2025
Curious but what is your opinion on Trump and Miller's idea to suspend the Writ of Habeus Corpus?
So Francis and Leo had nothing to do with this? https://www.newsweek.com/catholic-church-excommunicate-priests-following-new-us-state-law-2069039
In a similar vein regarding cutting Medicaid while increasing funding for the largest military in the world, I found Bill Gates comment about Elon Musk, compelling and relevant, "How is it that world's richest man is starving the world's poorest?"(not exact quote, but close).
I received an email this morning from Common Cause North Carolina. They are hosting a meeting next Wed. (May 14) at 6 pm ET to give a debrief on their "People v. Griffin" campaign now that Jefferson Griffin FINALLY conceded the NC Supreme Court race over 6 months after the election. You can register here:
https://www.mobilize.us/commoncause/event/786862/
I tried to register but the only options were to make a donation (which I can't do right now) and becoming a paid subscriber to Democracy Docket. I
Hit send too soon. I was about to say I'm already a paid subscriber to Democracy Docket, but couldn't figure out how to register.
On thr Medicaid vigil- Thr Guardian recently published a think piece on what the writers called the " soft eugenics" of people like Musk and RFK, Jr. Attributing ill health to be individuals ' personal responsibility can be a way of saying that chronically I'll people have brought illness on themselves, and it's better if we just let them die.
Repellent thinking
To be honest this line of thinking has been around for Republicans for decades. It is their way of blaming the victim and then not caring.
I am Jewish--though never practicing--and I became an atheist
at age 9. I never paid any positive attention to Catholicism until the summer of 1978, when John Paul I became pope. (I have always opposed the Church's opposition to sex outside of marriage, gay marriage, birth control, and the like.)
I don't remember exactly why , but I do remember that I got a big lift in my overall outlook from John Paul I's papacy. (I'm guessing that he probably had views similar to those of Pope Francis.) But then, 33 days after he was made Pope, he died. I mourned--not outwardly, but I felt quite bad about his death.
The coronation of Pope Francis felt to me almost like the reincarnation of John Paul I, and I got another boost in outlook, though not as great, from Francis' papacy. And I'm hoping for similar from Leo 14's papacy.
I'm still an atheist, but the rational side of me cares because the Pope is the leader of nearly 20 percent of the world's people, and I expect that--given the numbers of Catholics--another leader like Pope Francis will help make the world a better place.
I am looking forward to your event for Marc Elias. I am already a premium member, so I made a one-time donation in order to join the event.
How about commenting on the scathing reprimand given to Sen Noem by Sen. Chris Murphy during a hearing testimony in the Senate Appropriations subcommittee for Homeland Security?
What was your observation, Joette?
Down in the dumps the last few days over what I cannot change... But, was happy to hear of Pope Leo XIV becoming the new leader of the Catholic church. But, what came to my mind when the Pope's first words were Peace on Earth my brain compared Trump's first words and actions which communicated F*ck Everyone. Two severely opposite personalities and leadership goals.
In geopolitical terms, the Conclave's choice of Leo XIX reminds me of the choice of John Paul II, a Polish cardinal. By energizing even further resistance to the soviet domination in Poland and other countries under the soviet pale, Conclave's decision in 1978 contributed to the dismantling of the Soviet Union. The choice of Leo XIX is a clear stance on the moral "fork in the road" we have been facing in the US, and elsewhere. While made under different political circumstances, each choice has marked a pivotal time, in 1978 and today.
Pope Leo XIII, who wrote Saint Michael’s Prayer, came from Carpineto Romano. My grandfather Albert Campagne was born there just before Pope Leo XIII’s reign ended in 1903. Pope Leo XIII was a pontiff remembered for his reforming spirit and for his encyclical on the rights of workers.
Even without knowing Pope Leo XIV’s thoughts, it does seem that spending $45,000,000 on a parade while cutting SNAP and Head Start funds, would be anathema to me.
Whoops! Spending $45,000,000 would be anathema to HIM (Pope Leo XIV).
I agree with your thoughts on Marc Elias. He should be a Profile in Courage for sure! His work has saved us since the first Trump regime, and he is still hard at work now to save democracy. Like you, I am hoping that the Pope’s election will be a sign of divine inspiration to America! And I truly hope that it makes our American mainstream churches more vocal and active in standing up for the least of these, and standing against all the cruel policies coming from this latest regime. Whatever the reasons that led the Cardinals to elect him, I’m taking it as more than a coincidence………Thank you for attending the rally in DC. You really do walk the walk, as well as talking the talk!
I loved this interview with Pope Leo's brother, John. Rob Prevost grew up in a Catholic house doing what many Catholic kids did -- or at least we did. It gives insight into our new Pope as a person, as a brother. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbnZ8zz9_og