A new pope was selected. What are his views on social issues?
It’s expected that the first American pope will be antiabortion. Here’s a look at how he has stood on many political topics.
For the first time in history, the College of Cardinals selected an American as the new pope.
Cardinal Robert Prevost will take the name Pope Leo XIV. He was born in Chicago and served as a missionary in Peru. American bishops have historically been more conservative on social issues like birth control and abortion. It’s fair to expect the pope to be against abortion, as all popes have been since the mid-19th century. In a social media post, the new pope called to rescind the HHS mandate on Catholic employers to provide contraceptives and abortion to their employees.
Pope Leo XIV has also said some questionable things about gay people and the “homosexual lifestyle” in a speech to bishops that was covered by the New York Times. Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, a Catholic LGBTQ+ ministry, sent out a news release on his selection.
“We pray that as our church transitions from 12 years of an historic papacy, Pope Leo XIV will continue the welcome and outreach to LGBTQ+ people which Pope Francis inaugurated,” DeBarnardo said. “The healing that began with 'Who am I to judge?' needs to continue and grow to “Who am I, if not a friend to LGBTQ+ people?”
Though he’s taken those stances, the new pope also criticized Vice President JD Vance for his views on immigration and has taken conservative politicians to task for their opinions on gun control. He supports environmentalism and has criticized Wall Street.
Catholics for Choice, the largest pro-choice organization within that religion, issued a news release on the selection. Interim President Chris Wimbush welcomed Pope Leo XIV and highlighted his ministry to poor and immigrant communities. They also anticipate that the pope will be conservative on many issues the organization advocates for.
“We know Pope Leo disagrees with 9 in 10 U.S. Catholics on abortion. Catholics for Choice’s work is more important than ever,” Wimbush said. “That’s why we collected stories from the faithful Pope Leo now serves, who disagree with church teaching. We will be sending them to Pope Leo in the hope he will open his heart to listen. The future of our church depends on greater inclusion and nuance on reproductive health decisions like abortion, contraception, and IVF.”