NEW STORY
Pope Francis: The Pontiff of Empathy and Inclusion
In an era marked by deep division, Pope Francis had emerged as one of the most transformational figures in modern religion—an advocate of mercy, humility, and most notably, inclusion.
April 21, 2025
Pope Francis -Image: Creative Commons
Pope Francis -Image: Creative Commons
Pope Francis -Image: Creative Commons
Pope Francis -Image: Creative Commons
USE ARROWS TO MOVE THROUGH IMAGES
By William Cameron
From the very beginning of his papacy in 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Global South, set out to change not just the tone but the direction of the Catholic Church. His emphasis on compassion over condemnation, especially for marginalized communities, has redefined what it means to be Catholic in the 21st century.
Pope Francis often spoke of “accompaniment”—walking with people rather than judging them. This theological and pastoral approach reflects the core of his papacy: treating every person with dignity, compassion, and love, just as Jesus would. He repeatedly called on the Church to be “a field hospital after battle,” tending to the wounded rather than adding to their pain.
Unlike some of his predecessors, Francis prioritized human connection and social justice over rigid doctrine. His homilies and encyclicals stress mercy, solidarity with the poor, and the importance of listening to the cries of those on the margins. And perhaps nowhere has this approach been more visible—or more controversial—than in his evolving stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals.
Pope Francis -Image: Creative Commons
Francis did not change Church doctrine regarding homosexuality, which still considers homosexual acts “objectively disordered” according to the Catechism. However, he dramatically shifted the conversation. Rather than leading with dogma, Francis chose to lead with empathy, repeatedly calling for understanding, forgiveness, and love.
Here are key moments where Pope Francis advocated for LGBTQ+ forgiveness, rights, and inclusion:
1. "Who am I to judge?" — July 2013
On his return flight from his first international trip as pope, Francis made headlines by responding to a journalist’s question about gay priests with:
“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”
That single phrase marked a seismic shift. While simple, it underscored a fundamental change in papal tone—less judgment, more grace.
2. Pastoral Embrace of LGBTQ+ Individuals
Francis met with and comforted LGBTQ+ Catholics and their families on multiple occasions. He encouraged parents to love and support their LGBTQ+ children, explicitly telling them,
“God loves your children as they are.”
In 2020, he comforted the mother of a gay man during a public audience, thanking her for her witness and urging her to continue supporting her son.
3. Support for Civil Unions — October 2020
In the documentary Francesco, Francis stated clearly:
“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.”
This marked the first time a pope had openly supported legal protections for same-sex couples, breaking with Vatican tradition in favor of recognizing their dignity.
4. Welcome in the Synod on Synodality — 2021–2024
The Synod on Synodality, a years-long global consultation process within the Church, included voices of LGBTQ+ Catholics for the first time. In 2023, Francis approved the participation of laypeople, including LGBTQ+ advocates, in synodal discussions. The Vatican documents released from these meetings emphasize “welcoming everyone” and the importance of listening and discernment.
5. 2023 Response to the Dubia: Blessings for Same-Sex Couples
In response to conservative cardinals seeking clarification on Church positions, Francis clarified that while the Church still does not recognize same-sex marriage, there is room for pastoral blessings for same-sex couples. He wrote:
“We cannot be judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.”
This nuanced but important distinction opened the door for non-liturgical blessings of same-sex couples, further signaling a move toward inclusion.
6. Private and Public Meetings with LGBTQ+ Groups
Francis met with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups such as New Ways Ministry, which was previously marginalized by the Vatican. He called Sister Jeannine Gramick, a co-founder, “a valiant woman” for her decades-long ministry to LGBTQ+ Catholics.
Pope Francis -Image: Creative Commons
A Church Changed by Mercy
Pope Francis not altered doctrine, but he has changed the climate. Under his leadership:
- Bishops in countries like Germany and Belgium have pushed for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion, inspired by his pastoral tone.
- LGBTQ+ Catholics feel more seen and heard within the Church.
- The wider Catholic community is having real conversations about what it means to be welcoming, inclusive, and faithful.
Francis’ critics—many from within the Church hierarchy—accuse him of sowing confusion. But his defenders argue that he is simply returning to the radical compassion of Christ. As Francis himself has said, “The Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone.”
Pope Francis’ legacy may ultimately lie not in changing Church laws, but in changing hearts. By placing love before law, mercy before judgment, and people before policies, he has given the Catholic Church a new language of hope.
He has reminded the world—and Catholics especially—that faith is not about exclusion but encounter. And in doing so, he has made space for many, including LGBTQ+ believers, who for too long felt exiled from the Church that baptized them.
In a world increasingly fractured by fear and fanaticism, Francis echoed the quiet, radical truth at the heart of the Gospel: everyone is worthy of love.
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About the author
With a 25-year background in print advertising sales and publishing, a love for art and design, and steadfast determination, William has helped develop and execute the successful launch of three publications over his career; METROMODE being his own. As the Creative Director, he sets the brand's vision and leads a talented team of writers while bringing his creative abilities (16-years in graphic design) to designing each issue.