LGBTQ rights activists mourn and praise Pope Francis
Pope was accepting and expressed compassion for LGBTQ people, but considered them disordered.
Several LGBTQ+ rights activists praised Pope Francis after he passed away Sunday night at age 88. As the leader of the Catholic Church, he broke from church traditions by being compassionate and accepting of LGBTQ+ people, but did not renounce Catholic doctrine that categorized gay sex and trans identities as disorders.
He famously said “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gays in the church. He also declared that “being homosexual is not a crime” in reference to the 66 nations that criminalize homosexual activity. He did not approve of same-sex marriages, but freed Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples — a stance that outraged conservative Catholics and homophobic religious leaders worldwide.
Ugandan LGBTQ rights advocate Clare Byarugaba stated:
My heart is extremely full😍😍❤️🏳️🌈🇺🇬🏳️⚧️
For the first time in history, Pope Francis met with an LGBTIQ rights advocate from Uganda. His holiness reiterated that discrimination is a sin, and violence against LGBTIQ people is unacceptable. Everybody belongs inside the church, and he doesn’t discriminate, and the church should never discriminate. He walks in solidarity with everyone they has been denied their dignity, and he further encouraged us to continue defending our rights and to keep fighting. #RepealAHA23
On Sunday, Ebenezer Peegah, executive director of the LGBTQ rights advocacy group Rightify Ghana, stated:
Meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican in August 2024 remains one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. Receiving gifts from him was not just an honour, but a deeply personal reminder of his humility and grace—a memory I’ll always hold close.
His passing today is a profound loss. Pope Francis was a beacon of progressive leadership in the Church—tirelessly advocating for the poor, the marginalized (includingLGBTQI+ persons), and the vulnerable. He championed climate justice, spoke truth to power, and never shied away from confronting inequality and systemic injustice.
Rest in peace, Pope Francis. Your voice, your compassion, and your courage will continue to inspire generations.
Anglo-Nigerian LGBTQ rights advocate the Rev. Jide Rebirth Macaulay stated:
Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.
With deep respect and sorrow, I honour the passing of a global spiritual leader whose courageous voice echoed across boundaries.
Pope Francis dared to open the doors wider for LGBTIQ people in the Church, reminding us that “Who am I to judge?” His papacy offered a glimmer of hope toward inclusion, compassion, and human dignity.
May his soul rest in peace, and may his legacy of love and justice continue to inspire us all.
The Rev. Susan Russell, former president of Integrity USA, a nationwide group of LGBTQ Episcopalians, focused on the moment when Pope Francis greeted Bishop Mary Glasspool, the first lesbian bishop of the Episcopal Church. She wrote:
So many photos today of Pope Francis as the world celebrates his life and grieves his passing. Here’s my favorite: the one greeting Bishop Mary Glasspool.
