Pope Francis Shattered Norms Supporting LGBTQIA+ People, Women And Refugees
The world lost Pope Francis on Monday morning, 21st of April, when he died, aged 88. During his time as head of the Catholic Church, he took steps that changed how the Church treats LGBTQIA+ people, women, and social issues.
Pope Francis affirming queer children to their parents, speaking against criminalization of homosexuality, and calling for an end to anti-gay laws. pic.twitter.com/c3n5MeBo0J
— militant #4KABATAAN (@alasiye7e) April 21, 2025
Groundbreaking Support for LGBTQIA+ People
Francis made history in December 2023 when he allowed priests to bless same-sex couples. His declaration stated that people don’t need to be “morally perfect” to receive a blessing.
“A blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” the Vatican document said. This opened doors for many Catholics who felt left out before.
Back in 2013, Francis shocked many with his now-famous words about same-sex marriage: “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?”
"If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?"
— Rev'd Golden🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️ (@golden_cha2902) April 21, 2025
— Pope Francis, 2013 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 #RIPPopeFrancis pic.twitter.com/6RY2WZz59V
Last year, he went even further by clearly stating, “being homosexual isn’t a crime” in an interview with The Associated Press.
The Vatican recently approved guidelines allowing gay men to train as priests in Italy, but only if they don’t “flaunt” their sexuality or support “so-called gay culture.” This 68-page document reveals the Church’s continuing internal tension between traditional values and progressive reform.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling for Women
Francis put women in top Church jobs that no woman had ever held before. He named Sister Raffaella Petrini to run the Vatican City government, the highest position ever held by a woman in Church history.
He also allowed women to serve in more roles during Mass and gave Sister Nathalie Becquart voting rights in important Church meetings. These changes pushed against centuries of men-only leadership.
Pope Francis inspired us: 'The feminine genius is a gift—women weave harmony, ignite hope, and transform the world with love.' #PopeFrancis #FeminineGenius #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/OdJjRkBLF8
— WINConference (@WINConference) April 21, 2025
Champion for Migrants and Refugees
Francis didn’t shy away from tough political issues. He spoke out against mass deportations, calling them “a major crisis” that “damages the dignity of many men and women.”
He backed up his words with action by giving $500,000 to help migrants at the US-Mexico border in 2019. The money provided food and shelter for people fleeing hard situations in their home countries.
Advocating for migrants has been one of Francis’s priorities as pope. In February, he blasted the Trump administration, warning that plans for the mass deportation of migrants would deprive them of their inherent dignity.
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 21, 2025
🟠 LIVE updates: https://t.co/L5yqZ7WLxy pic.twitter.com/rnEOZjahDJ
Traditional Views on Some Topics
Despite his forward-thinking on many issues, Francis kept some traditional Catholic views. Earlier this year, he said he was against surrogacy, calling it an unauthorised practice.
“Sometimes surrogacy has become a business, and that is very bad,” Francis told CBS News just months before his death. He suggested adoption as a better option.
He also stuck to Church teaching on abortion, which he called part of a “throwaway culture” in 2014.
What His Legacy Means
Francis showed that the Church could change with the times while keeping its core beliefs. His actions proved that even the oldest institutions can grow and adapt. The next pope will have to decide whether to continue Francis’s path of greater openness or take a different direction.
