Pope Leo XIV’s LGBTQ+ record under scrutiny following historic election

Pope Leo XIV (Image: Getty)

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

The 69-year-old was chosen by the College of Cardinals and made his first public appearance from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday evening, telling the crowd: “Peace be with you all.” In his brief address, he called for a Church that builds “bridges” and remains “open to receive everyone… in charity, dialogue and love”.

But while his election marks a historic moment for the Church, his past public comments about LGBTQ+ people have resurfaced and drawn scrutiny from Catholic advocacy groups.

“Homosexual lifestyle … at odds with the gospel”

In a 2012 address at the Synod of Bishops in

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