Pope Francis: A Legacy of Inclusion

Pope Francis's dedication to marginalized communities was evident in his outreach to Gaza and his focus on including previously overlooked regions in the Church leadership. His papacy was marked by actions on behalf of the excluded, such as visiting asylum seekers and washing the feet of prisoners. His accepting words towards the LGBTQ+ community offered a sense of validation and belonging, which had a profound impact.

Over his papacy, Francis consistently reached out to LGBTQ+ people, mirroring his outreach to other marginalized groups. He notably welcomed transgender people, affirming their right to be baptized and become godparents, and stated that civilly married LGBTQ+ couples could receive blessings from clergy. These actions, along with his support for LGBTQ+ advocates, signaled a message of greater inclusion, contrasting with some cardinals' negative stances on homosexuality.

Click here to read the full article.

This article was published in Sojourners on April 25, 2025, and was written by Jim McDermott.