Outreach Founder James Martin, S.J., and Outreach Executive Director Michael O’Loughlin spoke in Rome, where they were covering the election of Pope Leo XIV. The first pope from the United States, Pope Leo spent much of his ministerial career in Peru, before accepting a post leading the office for bishops at the Vatican in 2023. The new pope, Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, spoke out regularly in defense of migrants and supported Pope Francis’ vision for a synodal church, but little is known about how he might interact with the LGBTQ Catholic community. A quote from 2012 has raised alarm among some LGBTQ Catholics, who fear that he may hold less-friendly views than his predecessor. In this brief interview, conducted at the Jesuit curia in Rome, Father Martin urges LGBTQ Catholics to take a wait and see approach. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Michael O’Loughlin: You and Cardinal Robert Prevost, who is now Pope Leo XIV, shared a table a the Synod on Synodality. What was it like working with him? What is he like?
James Martin, S.J.: He’s a great guy. He’s very soft spoken, very modest, humble; reserved is a good word. He’s a guy who chooses his words carefully, but when he spoke, people listened. So I would say, as a man of few words, I really liked him. He’s very friendly, very personable, and people really respect him in the Vatican.
MO: We are speaking just a day after Pope Leo XIV was elected. What are your initial thoughts when it comes to how he might interact with LGBT people in the church?
JM: Well, I know a lot of people are looking at some comments he made in 2012, but that was a long time ago. And I also think in general, he’s a very open person. He’s committed to synodality. He mentioned that in his very short speech, which is all about listening and participation and inclusion, and he’s always been very open to all sorts of perspectives. It’s also different what he says as a cardinal versus what he does as a pope.
MO: What are some things people need to know about the newly elected pope?
JM: I think the first thing is that he was prior general of the Augustinians, which is a really important post, and it means the Augustinians trust him. He was the head of the Dicastery for Bishops. It’s a position of great responsibility in the Vatican; it’s the person who helps to choose the bishops for different dioceses. He has wide experience in the global south. He was in Peru for a long time; he speaks multiple languages. So I think he’s really the perfect candidate.
MO: What’s your advice for LGBT Catholics who aren’t sure how to feel right now with the election of the new pope?
JM: One thing to remember is, when you look at his past statements, to remember that he’s committed to synodality, that he’s an open person, he’s very smart, he has worldwide experience. He’s an American, so he has a certain understanding of the American culture.
But also, what someone says or does is a cardinal does not always predict what they say or do as a pope. We need to remember that the Holy Spirit gives him the grace of office.
MO: What are your thoughts on the first pope elected from the United States?
JM: It’s pretty amazing. I didn’t expect it. And of course, there was a heresy a long time ago called Americanism, which was condemned by the Vatican, which was about religious freedom and democracy. And so this is a sign that the American church has really kind of reached maturity. Also, the idea that the pope would speak in an American accent to Americans and American Catholics is really remarkable. I have a feeling that’s going to really rejuvenate the church in the United States.
