GLAAD DISCUSSES MEETINGS WITH POPE FRANCIS, RESPONDS TO HIS PASSING: “A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER WHO INCLUDED LGBTQ PEOPLE”

(Monday, April 21, 2025) This morning, GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) media advocacy organization, is responding to the passing of Pope Francis, and highlighting his legacy of LGBTQ inclusion.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis: “Pope Francis was a transformational leader who included LGBTQ people in historic ways. Having had the honor of meeting with Pope Francis twice, I witnessed first-hand his dedication to make a Church for all, not just some. His principles of empathetic listening, inclusion, and compassion are exactly what this divided world needs right now. When Pope Francis spoke out against the act of criminalizing LGBTQ people and when he famously spoke ‘who am I to judge,’ he created an example of unity that faith and civil leaders should follow.”

In 2023, and 2024, Pope Francis met with GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, her staff, LGBTQ advocates from Uganda and Ghana–where the LGBTQ community is being targeted by anti-LGBTQ legislation, and transgender people, including transgender actress Nava Mau, who spoke about the meeting: “(Pope Francis) told us he wishes us all the love and success we desire, and he told us that we should keep fighting.”

Pope Francis has repeatedly urged acceptance of LGBTQ people and included them in conversations at the Vatican about how best to support LGBTQ people:

• In 2013, Pope Francis stated “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”
• In 2023, Pope Francis said, “Homosexuality is not a crime.” He called existing laws in more 60 countries that criminalize same-sex relationships “unjust” and said treating other people uncharitably is a sin.
• Also in 2023, Pope Francis approved blessings for same-sex couples.
• Pope Francis said to reporters that laws criminalizing LGBTQ people are a sin and an injustice because God loves LGBTQ people. “The criminalization of homosexuality is a problem that cannot be ignored,” said Francis. He also repeated previous comments that parents should never throw their gay children out of the house.
• Pope Francis spoke before hundreds of thousands of Catholic young people in Portugal and gave a speech that revolved around the theme: “Everyone is welcome in the Church.” He went on to lead youth in a chant of “Todos! Todos! Todos!”
• Pope Francis met with several Catholic LGBTQ advocacy leaders, including DignityUSA, New Ways Ministry. Of note, Sister Jeannine Gramick of New Ways Ministry had previously faced reprimand by prior pope and bishops for ministering to LGBTQ Catholics. Sr. Jeannine Gramick was named “Newsmaker of 2023” by the National Catholic Reporter, whose year-end review highlighted Catholics on the margins.
• Pope Francis urged inclusion of transgender people in the life of the Roman Catholic Church, stating they could be baptized, serve as godparents, and be witnesses in weddings.
• Pope Francis dined with transgender women invited to join in the Vatican auditorium as Pope Francis’ guests for the Catholic Church’s World Day of the Poor.
• Pope Francis removed anti-LGBTQ antagonists from their positions of privilege within the Church hierarchy, including Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, whose fierce opposition to LGBTQ people and spreading of conspiracy theories about COVID-19 had divided his diocese, and Cardinal Raymond Burke who attempted to deny LGBTQ people holy communion and compared them to murderers and continually challenged Pope Francis’ inclusive practices concerning LGBTQ people
• Pope Francis urged parents of LGBTQ people to “accompany their children and not hide in an attitude of condemnation.”

ABOUT LGBTQ PEOPLE OF FAITH

• In the U.S., 47% of LGBTQ people consider themselves religious. One in seven highly religious LGBTQ people are in a same-sex relationship.
• According to a 2022 poll, majorities of all religious groups favor state laws that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in jobs, housing, and public accommodations. This includes support from a majority of Hispanic Catholics (80%), white Catholics (80%), and white Evangelical Protestants (60%).
• For more information on LGBTQ people and religion, refer to GLAAD’s Media Guide: glaad.org/reference/religion. For more information on the state of global LGBTQ rights, refer to: glaad.org/reference/global.
• A record high 71% of all Americans support marriage equality, according to Gallup, including 41% of weekly churchgoers.
• Pope Francis has pushed for inclusion of transgender people in the Catholic Church, and welcoming and supporting trans women in Rome. He has stated trans people can be godparents at Baptisms and witnesses in weddings.
  • Pope Francis Calls for the Inclusion of Trans People in Catholic Church Practices.
  • For this group of trans women, the pope and his message of inclusivity are a welcome change.
  • Pope Francis: “Transgender people must be accepted and integrated into society”