The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC), our members and member groups join Catholics and other people from around the world in praying for all who will participate in the upcoming Conclave to select a new Pope. We pray for a successor to Pope Francis who will continue to make caring for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people our church’s first priority.

As LGBTIQ+ people, allies, family members, ministers, and friends, we also hope and pray that the next Pope will continue to lead our church towards being increasingly welcoming to and affirming of LGBTIQ+ people. We pray for continued recognition that we are members of our church and should be welcome and affirmed in all church spaces—parishes, communities, schools, social service programs, health care centers, and ministries. We hope for a Pope who will have an open heart to the gifts and needs of members of our community, and who will work to end teachings and practices that lead to discrimination and exclusion. We pray that the next Pope will echo Pope Francis’ call for an end to the criminalization of homosexuality and same-sex relationships and will urge church leaders to implement this call in every nation on Earth. We hope our next Pope will continue to learn from transgender and nonbinary people, will trust their testimonies about who they are, and will ensure respect for their dignity and individuality.

We pray that the incoming Pope continue to lead our church on a more synodal path, where the voices and involvement of all are welcomed and valued.

LGBTIQ+ people will continue to work for justice, equality, and appropriate pastoral care for ourselves and for other marginalized people. We hope for a Pope who will lead and welcome us in this work.

#newpope #conclave #justice #pope

P.S. One of GNRC Co-chairs is in Rome now, stay tuned for more news and get in touch.