Ever since Pope Leo XIV was elected as the new pope after Pope Francis, everyone has been keen to know about his stance on major social issues. We all know how Pope Francis had progressive views. He supported gay rights and even said that abortion can be forgiven.
He did not just support immigrant rights and environmental causes; he understood today’s social needs.
Being his successor, Pope Leo’s views are important to billions of catholics. He has finally confirmed his views on gay marriage and abortion during his inaugural address. Apart from this, he spoke about unifying the church and people towards a singular mission. We can see how his views are as per the conservative Catholic teachings. He has the same stance on immigrants as Jesus teaches to love all neighbors and those in need.
For marriage, his stance was on the church’s definition that says family can only be based on a “stable union between a man and a woman”. This proves he does not stand with gay rights and marriages. Moreover, he spoke about abortion, saying both elderly and unborn children are God’s creations and have inherent dignity. This also aligns with Catholic teachings.
In his speech, he also addressed building on international relationships with other countries and working towards interfaith dialogue. This will be a tool in achieving world peace. It was all a part of the Papal conclave protocol to greet the formal representatives and have meetings with the diplomatic corps.
Pope Leo the XIV was critical of Western media’s portrayal of the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.”
He viewed these representations as being at odds with the Gospel. pic.twitter.com/r1y8Djp7UC
— Trad West (@trad_west_) May 8, 2025
The new pope’s official installation Mass is yet to be held on May 18, where the celebrations for the community will take place. It’s based on papal symbolism and ancient rituals. Pope Leo has already confirmed that his focus will be on peace for all as he stated in his first addressal being a member of the Augustinian religious order.
Among other social views, the Pope’s stance on women is also under the radar. People want to know if he has progressive views or still has traditional ones when it comes to women. After all, he was a part of Pope Francis’ reform for ensuring that women are on the Vatican board. However, this was also limited to women not being ordained as priests. Pope Leo has been part of several church communities in Peru led by women, but his stance is unclear on women being in ministerial roles.
Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, condemning abortion:
“We cannot build a just society if we discard the weakest—whether the child in the womb or the elderly in their frailty—for they are both gifts from God.” pic.twitter.com/CarJChF1xR
— LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) May 8, 2025
We cannot take this as a bad sign, though. All the women he has worked with in the past have supported and praised his leadership skills. They say he respects their opinion and listens to them. Netizens have responded with mixed thoughts about his stance on social issues. One of them questioned if excluding women from the office would give him the right to represent all people of faith.
Another one said he’s similar to Pope Francis in a lot of ways.
