Pope meets with transgender Catholic activists who claim he discussed appointing 'more open' US bishops

Pope Francis met with a group of American transgender Catholics on 12 October to discuss the situation of and challenges faced by LGBT individuals in the Church.

While it was a private meeting and not an official engagement, of most interest to other Catholics is likely to be the claim that during the meeting the Pope reportedly broached the issue of appointing bishops in the United States who are more welcoming to transgender Catholics.

The Pope allegedly made the comment on Saturday at his private residence during the 80-minute meeting with 11 Catholics who are ­either transgender or intersex, or supporters of those groups, reports The Times. The meeting was arranged by the New Ways Ministry, a US-based group championing LGBT Catholics.