Pope Leo XIV Meets LGBTQ Advocate Fr. James Martin, Vows to Continue Francis’ Legacy

 The newly elected Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the inclusive legacy of Pope Francis, particularly regarding the Catholic Church’s relationship with the LGBTQ community.

On Monday, September 1, 2025, Pope Leo XIV met with Rev. Fr. James Martin, a New York-based Jesuit priest, author, and leading advocate for LGBTQ inclusion in the Church. The private audience, which lasted about half an hour at the Apostolic Palace, was officially announced by the Vatican—underscoring its significance.

Following the meeting, Fr. Martin shared a photo taken by Vatican News and expressed gratitude for the encounter:

“Dear friends: I am deeply grateful for my audience at the Apostolic Palace with the Holy Father this morning. The message I received was that Pope Leo will be continuing with the same openness and welcome that Francis showed to LGBTQ people. I found Leo to be joyful, relaxed, and serene. He is a joy to be with!”

Speaking later to the Associated Press, Fr. Martin added:

“I heard the same message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis—the desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people. It was wonderful, consoling, encouraging, and frankly a lot of fun.”

The audience is being seen as a powerful sign that Pope Leo XIV intends to maintain continuity with Pope Francis, who was widely regarded as the most welcoming pontiff toward LGBTQ Catholics in the Church’s history.

Fr. Martin, who is currently in Rome leading a Jubilee pilgrimage for his LGBTQ ministry, Outreach, described the meeting as both pastoral and symbolic, reflecting the Vatican’s desire to emphasize openness and dialogue.