As Pope Leo XIV established his historic role as the first American pope, global attention quickly turned to a range of moral and social issues. While his opening address championed unity, bridging the gap, and universal love, his previously documented comments on LGBTQ+ issues now resurface—and paint a more complex and sometimes contradictory picture of the church’s newest leader.

Pope Leo XIV, who was elected May 8 as head of the Roman Catholic Church, has not only inherited the enormous spiritual burden of 1.3 billion Catholics, but also the cultural challenge of navigating a deeply divided world. That includes internal divisions within the church itself, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion, gender identity and the evolving definition of family in modern times.

The Rev. Michele Falcone, a close friend and mentor to the new pope, described Leo XIV in an interview with The New York Times as a man with a “Worthy Center Street” philosophy — a way to bridge the gap between progressive reforms and conservative traditions. It’s a diplomatic framework, but as a reporter and supporter of what Leo has done over the last decade, they are more competitive.

In 2012, Cardinal Prevost at the time spoke out strongly against what he described as “sympathy for the beliefs and practices of the Western media, which contradicts the gospel” during his tenure as archbishop of Chiclayo in Peru. He directly criticized what he described as a “homosexual lifestyle” and was concerned about “alternative families” consisting of same-sex parents and adoptive children.

That same year, he also rejected a state initiative in Peru against gender identity issues in school curricula. “The promotion of gender-specific ideology is confusing,” he told a local news outlet, “because it tries to create sexes that do not exist.”

These comments are now receiving new scrutiny. LGBTQ+ proponents and progressive Catholics have raised concerns that these comments could signal an unwillingness by the new pope to fully understand the growing demands for inclusion in the global church.

At least as critics suspect, these statements bring Leo Xiv closer to the conservative wing of the clergy that has long opposed changing the Vatican’s traditional positions on sexuality and gender.

However, the timing of Leo’s election is considerable. He succeeds Pope Francis, who—by no means a radical—has pushed the church toward a more open dialogue with the LGBTQ+ community. In 2013, Francis famously asked a question about gay clergy, saying, “Who am I to judge?”

That ruling became a global touchstone, a moment of unexpected humility that offered hope to many Catholics who felt alienated by church teaching. Over time, Francis took additional steps, including allowing him to bless LGBTQ+ couples and to keep trans individuals as long as doing so would not cause a scandal among believers.

However, Francis even stumbled. He approved the publication of a controversial Vatican document in April 2024, in which gender operations and the concept of gender fluidity were declared as violations of human dignity.

The decision sparked a backlash from LGBTQ+ people and theologians, indicating that even a more progressive papacy has been constrained by long-standing doctrine.

In this context, Pope Leo XIV’s path forward seems uncertain. While his past comments raise red flags, his recent behavior suggests a possible shift — or at least a softening of the tone. Earlier this year, he made headlines on X (formerly Twitter) when he publicly criticized U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s use of the theological principle “Ordo Amoris,” or the sell-out rationale for Trump-era immigration policy.

One of the articles Leo shared was entitled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to evaluate our love for others.”

This move was not just a subtle theological correction, but also a clear statement of Leo’s priorities: He was voting with an evangelical message that emphasized unconditional love, especially toward marginalized communities. While the gesture did not directly address LGBTQ+ issues, it was widely interpreted as a sign that the new pope may prioritize pre-judgment in his approach.

Indeed, several public figures and Catholic leaders have expressed optimism. Father James Martin, a well-known priest and advocate for LGBTQ+ Catholics, put it this way: “I know Pope Leo XIV to be a friendly, open, modest, self-effacing, determined, hard-working, uncomplicated, trustworthy, reliable, and trustworthy man and for what the dev team is.”

In view of his many years of effort, Martin’s words have brought about greater involvement of the Church.

Glaad, one of the world’s most prominent LGBTQ+ media advocacy groups, also released a statement shortly after Leo’s election. Its president and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, said: “The Roman Catholic Church stands on the threshold of a hopeful and inclusive new chapter.”

She also emphasized the opportunity that Leo now has to “inspire billions around the world and bring LGBTQ people closer together with compassion, dignity and love.”

However, the question remains: Will Pope Leo XIV influence this opportunity? While he has not made any explicit policy statements regarding LGBTQ+ rights or gender identity since ascending to the papacy, all eyes on his first year are a possible barometer for future change.

His experience as prefect of the dicastery for bishops — where he advised Pope Francis on global bishop dates — will allow him to navigate complex ideological landscapes, but it remains to be seen whether he will decide to change the church’s official stance or simply lighten its tone.

What remains important is the deep polarization within Catholicism itself. In many parts of Europe and North America, municipalities and younger Catholics have increasingly pushed for less LGBTQ+ neglect, while bishops in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe have doubled down on traditional teachings.

As a pope with American roots and Latin American pastoral experience, Leo XIV is uniquely positioned — but also politically under pressure — to find a way that does not break the church.

The renewed focus on his 2012 comments underscores the biggest challenge for a modern pope: the internet never forgets. As Catholics, LGBTQ+ supporters and political observers have seen through his past, Pope Leo XIV’s ability to develop a public perspective – and to lead the Church into deeper sympathy without alienating his conservative base – has been a testament to his ability to embrace the Church’s values.

In a church where teaching moves slowly and symbolism carries enormous weight, even small changes in the voice of the world can have an impact. It is not yet clear whether Leo XIV’s past comments will haunt his papacy or be reinterpreted as part of a larger transformation. But what is clear is this: The world is watching, and the pressure on the new pope to show empathy, clarity and courage has never been greater.