In a move that has sent ripples through the global Catholic community, Pope Leo XIV met with Rev. James Martin, one of the most prominent advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church, on Monday, September 1, 2025. The meeting, held in Vatican City and lasting about half an hour, was officially announced by the Vatican—a clear signal that the new pontiff intends his actions and message to be seen and heard.
This encounter comes just days before a planned Holy Year pilgrimage of approximately 1,200 LGBTQ+ Catholics to the Vatican, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 5 and 6. The pilgrimage, organized by the Italian group Jonathan's Tent, will include a Mass at the Jesuit church in Rome, celebrated by the second-highest member of the Italian bishop's conference. Though not officially sponsored by the Vatican, the event is listed on the Vatican’s calendar of Holy Year events, providing logistical support and a tacit nod to its significance.
According to The Associated Press, Rev. Martin described the meeting as both "consoling and very encouraging," adding that it was "frankly a lot of fun." Martin, a New York-based Jesuit author and editor, has long been recognized for his ministry promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance in the church. He co-founded Outreach, a group dedicated to fostering inclusion and dialogue between LGBTQ+ Catholics and the broader church community.
Pope Leo XIV’s audience with Martin is widely seen as a strong sign of continuity with Pope Francis, who during his twelve-year papacy from 2013 to 2025, made significant strides toward making the Catholic Church a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ Catholics. Francis was known for his now-famous 2013 remark, "Who am I to judge?" regarding a purportedly gay priest, and for his decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples. Still, as numerous outlets including ABC News and UNN have reported, Francis never altered the church’s doctrine stating that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered."
The question of whether Leo XIV would follow in Francis’ footsteps lingered after his election in May 2025. Media outlets were quick to recall remarks from 2012, when the future pope—then Rev. Robert Prevost—criticized the "homosexual lifestyle" and the role of mass media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships, which he argued conflicted with Catholic doctrine. However, as Catholic News Service reported, when he became a cardinal in 2023, Prevost acknowledged the importance of Francis’ call for a more inclusive church, even as he emphasized that doctrine had not changed. "But we are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church," he said at the time.
Martin, who had worked with Prevost during the synod on the church’s future, expressed confidence in Leo’s approach. "I heard the same message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis, which is the desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people," Martin told The Associated Press. He continued, "It was wonderful. It was very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun." Martin also noted that Leo told him his priorities are to work for peace and unity, specifically mentioning ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar.
Leo’s meeting with Martin was not only significant for its content but also for the Vatican’s decision to make it public. As reported by multiple sources, including UNN and The Associated Press, the official announcement was interpreted as a deliberate gesture of hospitality by the new pontiff. Martin himself underscored the significance, saying, "If people were happy with Pope Francis' approach to LGBTQ Catholics, they're going to be happy with Pope Leo's approach. And he asked me to continue what I'm doing, which was very encouraging."
The upcoming pilgrimage adds another layer of meaning to the week’s events. While the Vatican has clarified that listing the pilgrimage on its calendar is for logistical support rather than formal endorsement, the gesture is not lost on those watching the church’s evolving relationship with LGBTQ+ Catholics. The event, which includes a Mass led by a high-ranking Italian bishop, is expected to draw pilgrims from across Italy and beyond, highlighting the growing momentum for inclusion within the church.
Martin emphasized that the audience and the pilgrimage are consistent with church teaching that "Jesus reaches out to people on the margins." He recalled Pope Francis’ famous line in Spanish, "todos, todos, todos"—everyone, everyone, everyone—saying that Leo wanted to remind people that the church is open to all.
Despite the encouraging tone, Leo XIV’s position is not without its complexities. His earlier statements from 2012, which criticized the "homosexual lifestyle," continue to be referenced by those both inside and outside the church who question how far the new pope is willing to go. However, his more recent comments and actions suggest an openness to inclusion, even as church doctrine remains unchanged. As he said in 2023 as a cardinal, "We strive to be more welcoming and open, and to say that all people are welcome in the church."
For many LGBTQ+ Catholics and their allies, the events of this week offer hope and validation. The public nature of the meeting, the Vatican’s logistical support for the pilgrimage, and the clear message of welcome from Pope Leo XIV all point to a church that is, at the very least, willing to engage with those on the margins. As Martin put it, "It’s wonderful to hear this continuation."
Yet, the journey toward full inclusion is far from over. The church’s doctrine on homosexuality remains unchanged, and many LGBTQ+ Catholics continue to face exclusion and discrimination in their local parishes. Still, moments like these—where the highest levels of the church offer a hand of welcome—are seen by many as steps in the right direction.
As the Holy Year pilgrimage approaches, all eyes will be on Rome to see how these gestures of inclusion are received, both by the pilgrims themselves and by the broader Catholic community. For now, the message from Pope Leo XIV is clear: the church, in his words and those of his predecessor, is for "everyone, everyone, everyone."