Will Pope Leo XIV continue Francis’ legacy of inclusion for transgender people?

As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, questions are emerging about whether the Catholic Church will continue the inclusive approach championed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, particularly toward transgender people and other marginalized groups.

Among those watching closely are Marcella and Minerva, two transgender women from South America who recently traveled to the Vatican to pay their final respects to Pope Francis. Both had known him personally and were part of a group of transgender individuals who were invited multiple times to the Vatican during his time as pope.

For them and many others, Francis was more than a religious figure. He was a source of recognition and dignity in a world, and an institution, that often left them out. His papacy was marked by efforts to reach beyond traditional boundaries, offering gestures of care and welcome to groups historically excluded by the Church.

Francis’ outreach to transgender people was part of a broader emphasis on serving the poor, the vulnerable, and the forgotten. He spoke often about the importance of mercy over judgment and stressed the need for the Church to be a field hospital. For transgender individuals, this message translated into an openness that had rarely been seen before from the Vatican.

Now, in the early days of Pope Leo XIV’s leadership, many are wondering whether that openness will continue. With the global Catholic population standing at 1.4 billion, the direction set by the new pope will have wide-reaching consequences. While Leo XIV has yet to make any specific statements on LGBTQ+ issues, his appointments and early actions are being closely watched for signs of continuity or change.

For communities that found an unexpected ally in Francis, this moment carries both hope and uncertainty. Some worry that the institutional pressures within the Church may push the new pope to take a more cautious or conservative approach. Others believe that Francis’ example has already shifted expectations and opened a path that cannot easily be reversed.

What remains clear is that Francis’ legacy of outreach left a strong impression on those who often feel forgotten. As the Church begins a new chapter, the question many are asking is whether Pope Leo XIV will carry that legacy forward or chart a different course entirely.