In 2013, Pope Francis was appointed leader of the Catholic Church and quickly made waves with his progressive stance on gay believers. He famously declared, “Who am I to judge?” This statement marked a significant shift in the church’s approach to homosexuality, and it has remained consistent during his papacy. Recently, the Vatican issued guidelines that allow transgender individuals to be baptized and serve as godparents. Additionally, Catholic priests were granted permission to bless same-sex couples.
Despite these progressive steps, the church remains staunchly opposed to same-sex marriage and continues to teach that homosexuality is inherently immoral and violates natural law. While some within the church have praised these changes, there is ongoing opposition towards Pope Francis’ more inclusive stance on these issues.
This week, Pope Francis faced criticism after using a homophobic slur to describe gay men during a private meeting with bishops. The Vatican issued a rare apology following the incident’s public attention. Despite this setback, Pope Francis’ efforts towards inclusivity have garnered support from many Catholics around the world.
