Pope Crave interrupts usual service to condemn Pope Leo’s past anti-LGBTQ+ remarks
Pope Crave has voiced its disapproval of Pope Leo’s appointment. (Getty)
Pope Crave has voiced its disapproval of Pope Leo's appointment. (Getty)
Viral parody Catholic news account, Pope Crave, has condemned previous anti-LGBTQ+ remarks made by the newly-appointed Pope, Robert Prevost.
The usually light-hearted X/Twitter account, which shares news from the Vatican in a parody of the entertainment news updates company PopCrave, stated that it was “disappointed” that Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, had previously expressed anti-LGBTQ+ views.
The 69-year-old Chicago-born bishop was elected to the Papacy by a Vactican conclave on Thursday (8 May) following the death of Pope Francis in late April.
Considered a theocratic centrist and reformer, Prevost was not a frontrunner for the position. He is the first American to become head of the Catholic Church.
While his comments on LGBTQ+ topics have been sparse over his clerical career, he was openly critical of the so-called “homosexual lifestyle” in 2012, arguing that pro-LGBTQ+ media held messages that are “at odds with the gospel.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pope Crave co-admin, Noelia Caballero, said that, as a lesbian Catholic, she was “disappointed” by the remarks.
“Our new Pope has spoken against ‘Western’ leniency towards LGBTQ+ individuals and against ‘gender ideology’ in Peru,” Caballero continued. “As a lesbian Catholic, I am disappointed.”
As LGBTQ+ Catholics wait to see if Prevost will remain consistent with his previously held views, Caballero reassured the community that “you are loved and you belong here.”
“While the Pope is the head of the Church, nothing our new Pope says can ever override the compassion, love, and mercy shared with us by our Lord Christ. Peace be with you.”
Pope Leo’s appointment was, however, “warmly” welcomed by LGBTQ+ Catholics in the UK, with the LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council saying it hoped he had moved on from his 2012 address to bishops.
“Opinions and ideas can change, and he supported Pope Francis’ change in pastoral practice to allow divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion,” a spokesperson said. “His election is a clear rebuff to those who wanted a return to a rigorous legalism and a more fortress-style Church.”
