Red drapes are installed on the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, where the new pope will be introduced to the world.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
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Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Red drapes are installed on the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, where the new pope will be introduced to the world.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
On the eve of the conclave to elect a new pope, some of the biggest questions hanging in the air have to do with LGBTQ Catholics. Will the church continue the path of outreach charted by Pope Francis, softening its harsh positions? Will it allow LGBTQ Catholics to fully participate in the church?
Rev. James Martin, an American Jesuit priest, has built a ministry aimed at making gay, lesbian and transgender people feel more welcome in the Catholic church and advised Francis on the issue. He says Francis himself changed the church, but so did the many LGBTQ Catholics who have come out — changing the church at the level of the family and parish. That trend, he says, will continue.
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This episode was produced by Tyler Bartlam, Connor Donevan and Erika Ryan. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.