BY: Ashley Blackwell
Published 4 days ago
Per the Vatican News, on April 21, Pope Francis sadly passed away at the great age of 88. Unfortunately, the fallen icon died following a battle against bilateral pneumonia that prompted his month-plus hospital stay. While his death is significantly shocking in many ways, we’ve decided to highlight what Pope Francis’ LGBTQIA+ allyship did for the rainbowers.
As reported by the outlet, Cardinal Kevin Farrell (Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church) made the announcement via the Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City, where Francis spent his final days after his medical discharge. In a statement, Farrell shared, “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. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church.”
He added, “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.”
AP News cited that Francis’ passing was a result of a stroke-induced coma and heart failure.
Pope Francis’ LGBTQIA+ Allyship — Remembering Who He Was & What He Did for the People
Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina) was the first from Latin America. The historical figure, who became Pope in 2013, obtained the name Francis in honor of Italian poet and Catholic friar Saint Francis of Assisi. Popes serve as the bishop of Rome and hold the sovereign title as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus in 1958 and took his first vows as a Jesuit two years later. Francis spent decades studying, preaching, and elevating his religious leadership, so much so that the late pontiff eventually morphed into a powerful force in Catholicism.
Per NBC News, “hundreds of thousands” of Francis’ loved ones and supporters gathered at St. Peter’s Square for his funeral on April 26. He was known for his groundbreaking approach and reformative practices within the religion. Because of that, his life and legacy will forever be celebrated, especially for sexual minorities.
If you didn’t know, throughout his tenure, Francis had been very (controversially) vocal about his support for queer individuals. His philosophy on our sisters and brothers helped set the table for dialogue for new perspectives, which have long been frowned upon throughout the branches of Christianity. Francis promoted the love of God for all, regardless of gender identity or personal attraction.
When asked about his view on gay priests, he told a reporter in 2013, “If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn’t be marginalized. The tendency [of homosexuality] is not the problem. They’re our brothers.”
In 2015, Francis visited a Naples prison to have lunch with inmates, which also included gays, transgender individuals, and victims of HIV/AIDS. During his time with the group, he quoted in encouragement, “Sometimes it happens that you feel disappointed, discouraged, abandoned by all, but God does not forget his children. He never abandons them! He is always at our side, especially in trying times.”
Francis’ humbled advocacy for the inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community in Catholic spaces sparked mixed reviews for those in and out of traditional collectives. Despite his acknowledgment that homosexuality is deemed a sin in a 2023 interview with AP, he stood firm in his pushback against certain countries criminalizing the act and expanded on his championship for our colorful people.
His blatant usage of something as simple as the word “gay” reshaped the trajectory for equality across LGBTQIA+ Catholics, along with the embracement and approval of same-sex marriage, forming friendships with those on the spectrum, and welcoming the baptism of the gender non-conforming society. Before his burial, transgender folks were among the crowd to say their final goodbyes at St. Mary Major Basilica.
Even though many questioned Francis’ true narrative on the LGBTQIA+ and accused the pioneer of making conflicting comments, most appeared to have rallied behind him due to his impartiality beliefs (seemingly) never wavering.
May he rest well.
Show some love and gratitude for the game-changer below!
