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'Pope Francis was game-changer for LGBT Catholics'

LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council A group of people stand on the steps of a large stone building, posing for a photo with Pope Francis, who is in white robes at the centre. The group is casually dressed and smiling, with some people looking at the Pope and others looking toward the camera. The background shows tall columns, arched doorways, and other people standing or seated behind barriers.LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council
Pope Francis met the LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council at the Vatican in 2019

Pope Francis was a "real game-changer" when it came to the Catholic Church's treatment of gay people, a London LGBT+ faith group has said.

Martin Pendergast, the secretary of the LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council, said the pontiff had turned away from "really quite offensive" statements made by his predecessors on issues of sexuality and gender identity.

While Pope Francis maintained the Vatican's position that homosexual acts were sinful, he said gay people should not be marginalised from the Church, adding: "Who am I to judge?"

The LGBT+ Catholics Westminster group met the Pope at the Vatican in 2019, which Mr Pendergast said caused controversy.

"More conservative Catholics were up in arms because they saw this as the Pope affirming an LGBT group such as we were and are," he said.

He described the meeting as a "very significant step" in improving the Church's relations with the LGBT+ community.

"It was a personal affirmation, but it was also an affirmation of the kind of ministry that we offer here in the Diocese of Westminster, which is a welcoming ministry for LGBT Catholics, parents and families," Mr Pendergast said.

Martin Pendergast is seen standing indoors, wearing a blazer with a rainbow cross pin. A church altar is blurred in the background.
Martin Pendergast said Pope Francis improved relations with LGBT+ Catholics

He said another change to tradition took place in 2023 when Pope Francis permitted the blessing of same-sex couples. The pontiff said at the time that any request for a blessing should be treated with "pastoral charity".

During Francis's papacy, some priests who were openly gay were removed from their posts but the Vatican changed this policy in 2023, allowing gay men to enter the priesthood as long as they remained celibate.

The Pope also issued an apology in May last year following reports that he had used extremely derogatory language towards gay men in a private meeting.

Fr Carlos Abajos is seen in religious robes with glasses and a trimmed beard sitting in a church pew, with green-carpeted steps and a decorated altar in the background.
Fr Carlos Abajos said Pope Francis helped Latin Americans feel represented

Francis, the first Pope from South America, is also being remembered by other Catholic communities across London.

Fr Carlos Abajos, chaplain to the Latin American community at St Anne's Church in Vauxhall, said it was an "amazing surprise" to them when the Argentine was elected Pope in 2013.

"We thought that was the opportunity for our Latin American community because we were very well-represented," he said.

Fr Abajos said Pope Francis adopted a "Latin American style" in his approach to the papacy.

"He was so near to the people, so spontaneous."

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