Pope Leo declares RCC will reject LGBT agenda and women’s priesthood

Pope Leo XIV. Photo: Tribune Central

On September 17, 2025, the book Leo XIV, Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century was released in Peru, in which Pope Leo XIV gave his first major interview since election, Tribune Central reported.

In the book, Pope Leo XIV declared that Catholic teaching will remain unchanged on the recognition of same-sex unions and the ordination of women. “I believe that the teaching of the Church will remain as it is,” the Roman pontiff noted, responding to questions about the possibility of women’s priesthood and LGBT issues.

He added that he intends to continue his predecessor’s course of appointing women to administrative and auxiliary positions without affecting doctrinal matters. Concerning homosexuals, the pope confirmed the necessity of receiving every person with mercy: “Everyone is invited, but I do not invite anyone because of their particular identity.”

At the same time, the Roman pontiff did not mention the recent pilgrimage organized by an LGBT association and widely promoted by the media, which presented it as part of the Catholic Jubilee of 2025 (the Holy Year of Pilgrimages, held every 25 years).

Pope Leo XIV also reaffirmed his commitment to the traditional family – “father, mother, and children” – which, in his words, must be “recognized and strengthened anew.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the vice president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference called to “restore dignity” to homosexual Catholics and spoke of Pope Leo’s blessing.

Read also