Scroll To Top

Pope Francis dies at 88: An overview of his LGBTQ+ rights legacy

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Pope Francis waves from the Popemobile.

Pope Francis experienced many health issues over the years and had been recently discharged from the hospital. He leaves behind a complicated legacy regarding LGBTQ+ rights in the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88, leaving a complicated but overall progressive legacy regarding LGBTQ+ rights in the Catholic Church. He served as pope for 12 years.

The pope passed away weeks after developing a respiratory crisis affecting both his lungs. In February, he was admitted to Rome’s Gemilli hospital on Valentine's Day after experiencing worsening bronchitis symptoms, and he was diagnosed with a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection — a mix of viruses and bacteria growing in his respiratory tract.

He made his last appearance on Easter Sunday, blessing thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square. He also met with JD Vance on Sunday.

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced, according to Vatican News. "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."

Trending stories

Related: Pope Francis' (Mostly) Complete LGBTQ+ Record: the Good and the Bad

Francis was often perceived as being more accepting of LGBTQ+ Catholics than his predecessors. When asked by a journalist in 2013 about gay priests being included, he said, "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?" He later upheld that the church should apologize to LGBTQ+ people for mistreating them.

However, Francis did not change church doctrine. He approved a Vatican document in 2016 reaffirming that "persons with homosexual tendencies" are barred from Roman Catholic seminaries and the priesthood. He also allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, though only if the blessing does not resemble a wedding nor take place as part of regular church activities.

Francis was the first in his position to support same-sex civil unions and repeatedly spoke out against the criminalization of homosexuality around the world during his tenure, telling reporters in February 2023 that such policies are "an injustice." “Being homosexual is not a crime,” Francis told The Associated Press.

Related: From Afghanistan to Malaysia, these are the 61 countries that still criminalize homosexuality

He frequently met with LGBTQ+ community leaders — including transgender advocates and those working on HIV prevention — upholding his belief that "there is room for everyone in the church."

Pope Francis also oversaw the ordinance that made it permissible for transgender people to be baptized as Catholics, serve as godparents, and be witnesses at weddings, though he officially denied the existence of transgender identities and denounced gender-affirming surgeries.

The pope's successor could technically be any Roman Catholic man, though he will more than likely be picked from one of the 253 cardinals around the world. A private meeting of the College of Cardinals, called a conclave, will be convened in the near future to elect a new pope.