Pope Leo has spoken publicly for the first time on LGBTQ issues since his election, stressing both respect for all individuals and the Church’s adherence to traditional teaching on the family.
In an interview with Crux correspondent Elise Ann Allen, who is preparing his biography, the pontiff criticized what he described as Western society’s “obsession with sexuality,” noting that this is not the primary concern in many parts of the world.
Pope Leo acknowledged the subject remains “highly polarizing within the Church,” but said he had no intention of fueling division. He referred to sexuality in terms of “choices” and “decisions,” framing it as a matter of lifestyle rather than identity.
“All are invited into the Church, not because of sexual identity, but because everyone is a son or daughter of God,” he said, urging respect and acceptance of difference.
At the same time, he reaffirmed Catholic teaching on the family as “father, mother, and children,” adding that changing doctrine was “not at the back of my mind.”
