内容摘要：U.S. transgender-rights advocates welcomed Francis’ inclusive tone, noting that some political and religious leaders were targeting trans people with discriminatory laws and policies.

U.S. transgender-rights advocates welcomed Francis’ inclusive tone, noting that some political and religious leaders were targeting trans people with discriminatory laws and policies.

Signals had come earlier. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he had favored granting legal protections to same-sex couples. After becoming pope, he went on to minister repeatedly and publicly to the gay and transgender communities, steadily evolving his position. His abiding message: “Everyone, everyone, everyone” — “todos, todos, todos” — is loved by God and should be welcomed in the church.On some specific LGBTQ+ issues, Francis initially disappointed activists with his decisions, yet later softened or reversed them as part of highlighting his welcoming approach.

Francis was criticized by the Catholic gay community for a 2021 decree from the Vatican’s doctrine office saying the church cannot bless same-sex unions because “God cannot bless sin.” But that stance was effectively repudiated by the 2023 declaration on blessings.Another reversal came that year in a Vatican statement saying it’s permissible, under certain circumstances, for transgender people to be baptized and serve as godparentsIf it did not cause scandal or “disorientation” among other Catholics, a transgender person “may receive baptism under the same conditions as other faithful,” it said.

Similarly, the document said trans adults, even if they had gender-transition surgery, could serve as godparents under certain conditions. That reversed an earlier outright ban.U.S. transgender-rights advocates welcomed Francis’ inclusive tone, noting that some political and religious leaders were targeting trans people with discriminatory laws and policies.

Another issue tackled by Francis pertained to laws in dozens of countries criminalizing homosexual activity.

In 2008, the Vatican declined to sign a U.N. declaration calling for an end to such laws. But in a 2023They are Cardinals Robert Sarah of Guinea, Peter Turkson of Ghana and Fridolin Ambongo of Congo.

If any of them is selected, he would be the first African pope in more than 1,500 years and the first ever from sub-Saharan Africa. That historical record makes many in Africa eager for change — but not overly hopeful.Before the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, there was much media attention around Francis Arinze, a highly respected cardinal born in Nigeria, raising questions even then about whether the world was ready for a Black pope from Africa.

Two decades later, Catholicism continues to decline in Europe while it grows in the developing world. The number of Catholics is growing faster in Africa than anywhere else.At least 20% of global Catholic community is in Africa, which “is characterized by a highly dynamic spread of the Catholic Church,” according to a recent Vatican report.