Pope Leo XIV has received the American Jesuit priest Fr James Martin SJ in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace, according to the Holy See Press Office Bulletin.
The meeting took place during Fr Martin’s visit to Rome in connection with a Jubilee pilgrimage organised by his LGBT ministry, Outreach. Fr Martin SJ, who serves as editor-at-large of America magazine, made the encounter public on X shortly afterwards.
“Dear friends: I was honoured and grateful to meet with the Holy Father @Pontifex this morning in an audience in the Apostolic Palace, and moved to hear the same message I heard from Pope Francis on LGBTQ Catholics, which is one of openness and welcome,” he wrote on X. “I found Pope Leo to be serene, joyful, and encouraging. For me, it was a deeply consoling meeting. Please pray for the Holy Father!”
