Habemus woke Papem? Pope Leo XIV’s thoughts on social justice, the LGBT+ community, Palestine and more
Pope Francis was an advocate for the poor, opened the church's relationship with the LGBT+ community, and worked to combat climate change, but where does Pope Leo XIV stand on these issues?
“WOKE MARXIST POPE” – that’s how the conservative American political activist Laura Loomer reacted to the election of Pope Leo XIV. On the other hand, Pope Crave, a popular conclave-following X account, declared the new Pope is ‘LGBT non-progressive.’
A tweet from a popular Pope-fan on X saying “We don’t claim” the “LGBT non-progressive Pope”. Source: @ClubConcrave via X.
Sow what’s the truth? What does Pope Leo think about the LGBT+ community, immigration and climate change. In short: is the new Pope woke?
Until now, the new Pope has been quite shy about interacting with the media, so there’s a lot we don’t know about his beliefs. However, we do know he’s ideologically quite similar to Pope Francis, and we do know where he stands on some issues.
What are Pope Leo’s main values?
In his balcony address, Pope Leo talked about the Church welcoming everyone “with open arms.” He emphasised the importance of building bridges and talking to people outside the Catholic faith.
“Thank you to my brother Cardinals who have chosen me to be the successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united church searching together for peace and justice, working together as women and men” – from Pope Leo XIV’s first speech
That seems to indicate the new Pope will follow the late Pope Francis’ legacy of welcoming everyone to the Church.
In fact, the College of Cardinals Report – a compilation of every Cardinal’s views written by Vatican journalists – says Pope Leo’s views are very close to his predecessor’s. The two Popes are particularly aligned on issues like the environment and outreach to the poor.
What has the new Pope said about the LGBT+ community?
In a 2012 address to bishops he criticised “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel” including the “homosexual lifestyle” the New York Times has reported.
He’s criticised “gender ideology” too. In a 2016 interview with local media in Peru, he opposed a proposition to teach to topic in schools, calling it “confusing” for children. However, in the same interview he said adults should be treated with “dignity.”
He’s already emphasised the importance of welcoming everyone into the Church, but it’s unclear what his attitude to the LGBT+ community will be as Pope.
What has the new Pope said about Israel and Palestine?
In his last years, Pope Francis became an outspoken advocate for the people of Gaza. It’s currently unclear where Pope Leo stands on the issue.
“We hope that his heart will remain with Gaza like Pope Francis,” George Antone, the head of the emergency committee at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, the only Catholic church in Gaza, told Reuters.
“We appeal to the new pope to look at Gaza through the eyes of Pope Francis and to feel it with the heart of Pope Francis. At the same time, we are confident that the new pope will give importance to Gaza and its peace.” – George Antone, Holy Family Church
What has the new Pope said about migration?
Pope Leo has been praised for reaching out to Venezuelan immigrants in Peru – where he’s been working since 2014 – the New York Times has reported.
The College of Cardinals Report says Pope Leo is closely aligned with Pope Francis’s vision for immigration. The previous Pope was an advocate for the dignity of migrants, praying for those who’ve died on a 2016 trip to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Pope Francis prays near the U.S.-Mexico border fence along the Rio Grande, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. Francis offered a prayer for migrants on the other side and for those who died trying to get to the U.S. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
What has the new Pope said about climate change?
Last year, Pope Leo told Vatican News that when it comes to climate change, it’s time to move “from words to action.” He reiterated the importance of the Church operating in an environmentally-conscious way, for example by installing solar panels and using electric vehicles.
“‘Dominion over nature’—the task which God gave humanity—should not become ‘tyrannical.’ It must be a ‘relationship of reciprocity,'” he said.
What has the new Pope said about U.S. President Donald Trump?
Pope Leo only uses X sporadically, but since the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance he’s reposted links to two articles about Mr Vance.
One is “Pope Francis’ letter, JD Vance’s ‘ordo amoris’ and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration” by Sam Sawyer for America Magazine. The article’s a critique of Mr Vance’s anti-immigration policies and his use of his catholic faith to defend them.
The other article is “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others” by Kat Armas for the National Catholic Reporter. Rather than reposting links to the articles from other accounts, as he did for most articles, Pope Leo posted the links from his own account.
Despite this criticism of his number two, Mr Trump celebrated Pope Leo’s election as a win for their shared home country, calling it “a great honour” for the United States.
Why has Pope Leo been criticised for his handling of sexual abuse cases?
While Pope Leo was working at the Augustinian Province of Chicago from 1999 to 2001 , a priest was allowed to continue working and remain at a monastery close to a school. However, the Pope has denied his involvement with the case.
More recently, he’s been criticised for his handling of allegations that two priests in his diocese sexually assaulted three young girls. People connected to the victims accused Cardinal Prevost – as he was known at the time – of covering up the allegations.
A Vatican official denied that there was a cover up, saying Prevost followed the Church’s regulations. They said he opened an investigation into the allegations, and offered psychological support for the victims.
In May 2025, Infovaticana reported that the victims were paid $150,000 to keep silent about their allegations. Neither the Pope nor the Church have responded to this allegation.
Is Leo a woke name?
After their election, each pope choses a name, which is typically the first indication of their intentions as pope. For example, Pope Francis chose his name in honour of St Francis of Assisi, who is known for caring for the poor and rejecting wealth and material goods.
Pope Leo hasn’t explained why he chose his name yet, but we can look to the thirteen previous Pope Leo’s for clues. The Pope Leo I is best known for convincing Attila the Hun not to invade Italy, which could indicate Pope Leo XIV is committed to peace.
Pope Leo XIII was head of the Catholic Church from 1878 to 1903. Pope Leo XIV may have chosen his name to honour his predecessor’s commitment to social justice (AP Photo)
Pope Leo XIII, who was pope between 1878-1903, is the most recent previous Pope to use that name. He was committed to modernising the church and promoting social justice. He advocated for workers’ rights and fair wages, although he opposed socialism. He also opened several homeless shelters.
So is the Pope woke?
Given Pope Leo’s previous lack of media appearances, for now it’s hard to say if he’s truly ‘woke.’ His similarities to Pope Francis and advocacy for action against climate change indicate he could be a woke pope. However, to some, his previous anti-LGBT+ comments and the allegations about his handling of sexual abuse cases cast some doubt on his social justice credentials.
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HeadlineHabemus woke Papem? Pope Leo XIV’s thoughts on social justice, the LGBT+ community, Palestine and more
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StandfirstPope Francis was an advocate for the poor, opened the church's relationship with the LGBT+ community, and worked to combat climate change, but where does Pope Leo XIV stand on these issues?
“WOKE MARXIST POPE” – that’s how the conservative American political activist Laura Loomer reacted to the election of Pope Leo XIV. On the other hand, Pope Crave, a popular conclave-following X account, declared the new Pope is ‘LGBT non-progressive.’
A tweet from a popular Pope-fan on X saying “We don’t claim” the “LGBT non-progressive Pope”. Source: @ClubConcrave via X.
Sow what’s the truth? What does Pope Leo think about the LGBT+ community, immigration and climate change. In short: is the new Pope woke?
Until now, the new Pope has been quite shy about interacting with the media, so there’s a lot we don’t know about his beliefs. However, we do know he’s ideologically quite similar to Pope Francis, and we do know where he stands on some issues.
What are Pope Leo’s main values?
In his balcony address, Pope Leo talked about the Church welcoming everyone “with open arms.” He emphasised the importance of building bridges and talking to people outside the Catholic faith.
“Thank you to my brother Cardinals who have chosen me to be the successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united church searching together for peace and justice, working together as women and men” – from Pope Leo XIV’s first speech
That seems to indicate the new Pope will follow the late Pope Francis’ legacy of welcoming everyone to the Church.
In fact, the College of Cardinals Report – a compilation of every Cardinal’s views written by Vatican journalists – says Pope Leo’s views are very close to his predecessor’s. The two Popes are particularly aligned on issues like the environment and outreach to the poor.
What has the new Pope said about the LGBT+ community?
In a 2012 address to bishops he criticised “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel” including the “homosexual lifestyle” the New York Times has reported.
He’s criticised “gender ideology” too. In a 2016 interview with local media in Peru, he opposed a proposition to teach to topic in schools, calling it “confusing” for children. However, in the same interview he said adults should be treated with “dignity.”
He’s already emphasised the importance of welcoming everyone into the Church, but it’s unclear what his attitude to the LGBT+ community will be as Pope.
What has the new Pope said about Israel and Palestine?
In his last years, Pope Francis became an outspoken advocate for the people of Gaza. It’s currently unclear where Pope Leo stands on the issue.
“We hope that his heart will remain with Gaza like Pope Francis,” George Antone, the head of the emergency committee at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, the only Catholic church in Gaza, told Reuters.
“We appeal to the new pope to look at Gaza through the eyes of Pope Francis and to feel it with the heart of Pope Francis. At the same time, we are confident that the new pope will give importance to Gaza and its peace.” – George Antone, Holy Family Church
What has the new Pope said about migration?
Pope Leo has been praised for reaching out to Venezuelan immigrants in Peru – where he’s been working since 2014 – the New York Times has reported.
The College of Cardinals Report says Pope Leo is closely aligned with Pope Francis’s vision for immigration. The previous Pope was an advocate for the dignity of migrants, praying for those who’ve died on a 2016 trip to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Pope Francis prays near the U.S.-Mexico border fence along the Rio Grande, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. Francis offered a prayer for migrants on the other side and for those who died trying to get to the U.S. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
What has the new Pope said about climate change?
Last year, Pope Leo told Vatican News that when it comes to climate change, it’s time to move “from words to action.” He reiterated the importance of the Church operating in an environmentally-conscious way, for example by installing solar panels and using electric vehicles.
“‘Dominion over nature’—the task which God gave humanity—should not become ‘tyrannical.’ It must be a ‘relationship of reciprocity,'” he said.
What has the new Pope said about U.S. President Donald Trump?
Pope Leo only uses X sporadically, but since the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance he’s reposted links to two articles about Mr Vance.
One is “Pope Francis’ letter, JD Vance’s ‘ordo amoris’ and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration” by Sam Sawyer for America Magazine. The article’s a critique of Mr Vance’s anti-immigration policies and his use of his catholic faith to defend them.
The other article is “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others” by Kat Armas for the National Catholic Reporter. Rather than reposting links to the articles from other accounts, as he did for most articles, Pope Leo posted the links from his own account.
Despite this criticism of his number two, Mr Trump celebrated Pope Leo’s election as a win for their shared home country, calling it “a great honour” for the United States.
Why has Pope Leo been criticised for his handling of sexual abuse cases?
While Pope Leo was working at the Augustinian Province of Chicago from 1999 to 2001 , a priest was allowed to continue working and remain at a monastery close to a school. However, the Pope has denied his involvement with the case.
More recently, he’s been criticised for his handling of allegations that two priests in his diocese sexually assaulted three young girls. People connected to the victims accused Cardinal Prevost – as he was known at the time – of covering up the allegations.
A Vatican official denied that there was a cover up, saying Prevost followed the Church’s regulations. They said he opened an investigation into the allegations, and offered psychological support for the victims.
In May 2025, Infovaticana reported that the victims were paid $150,000 to keep silent about their allegations. Neither the Pope nor the Church have responded to this allegation.
Is Leo a woke name?
After their election, each pope choses a name, which is typically the first indication of their intentions as pope. For example, Pope Francis chose his name in honour of St Francis of Assisi, who is known for caring for the poor and rejecting wealth and material goods.
Pope Leo hasn’t explained why he chose his name yet, but we can look to the thirteen previous Pope Leo’s for clues. The Pope Leo I is best known for convincing Attila the Hun not to invade Italy, which could indicate Pope Leo XIV is committed to peace.
Pope Leo XIII was head of the Catholic Church from 1878 to 1903. Pope Leo XIV may have chosen his name to honour his predecessor’s commitment to social justice (AP Photo)
Pope Leo XIII, who was pope between 1878-1903, is the most recent previous Pope to use that name. He was committed to modernising the church and promoting social justice. He advocated for workers’ rights and fair wages, although he opposed socialism. He also opened several homeless shelters.
So is the Pope woke?
Given Pope Leo’s previous lack of media appearances, for now it’s hard to say if he’s truly ‘woke.’ His similarities to Pope Francis and advocacy for action against climate change indicate he could be a woke pope. However, to some, his previous anti-LGBT+ comments and the allegations about his handling of sexual abuse cases cast some doubt on his social justice credentials.
