But more importantly, his comment set the tone and approach to talking about LGBTQ issues outside of the liberal-conservative axis. The fact that Pope Francis made such a comment – and used the word 'gay' in English – was radical, and helped propel significant conversations in parishes and dioceses on LGBTQ equality to this day. When asked about gay priests during a spontaneous exchange with the press, he responded, 'If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn't be marginalized. Let's start off with one of the most decisive moments in Francis' papacy for LGBTQ people. 'If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?' So where does Pope Francis stand on LGBTQ people?
'But anyone who utters Christian words without putting them into practice hurts oneself and others,' said Pope Francis in 2013. Francis' tenure as pope has also been notable by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community for his adoption of a more conciliatory tone toward LGBTQ people than that of his predecessors.
