Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and founder of Outreach, an LGBTQ Catholic ministry, shared his impressions after meeting privately with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in September.
Speaking during a Tuesday appearance on The Late Show, Martin said the message he received from the new pope was clear: the Church’s posture of welcome toward LGBTQ Catholics will continue.
Asked by host Stephen Colbert whether Pope Leo plans to expand LGBTQ ministry efforts as Pope Francis had encouraged, Martin replied that Leo is “continuing Pope Francis’ mission and message of welcome and inclusion,” adding that the pope wanted that message widely shared.
The remark drew applause from the studio audience.
Colbert later noted that he had previously said, on Late Night with Seth Meyers, that the pope would be the one guest he would most like to have on before his show ends. When asked whether Pope Leo would make a good late-night guest, Martin responded enthusiastically that he would.
Beyond the television appearance, Martin has spoken at length about the Vatican meeting, describing it as both pastoral and encouraging.
In comments to The Associated Press following the encounter, Martin said he heard “the same message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis,” namely a desire “to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people.” He described the meeting as consoling and joyful, saying the pope was relaxed and engaging.
Martin later echoed those sentiments on social media, writing that Pope Leo intends to maintain the same openness shown by Pope Francis. “The message I received was that Pope Leo will be continuing with the same openness that Francis showed to LGBTQ Catholics,” Martin wrote, calling the pope “joyful, relaxed and serene.”
In a longer reflection published on the Outreach website, Martin said the audience with the pope lasted about 30 minutes and reinforced what he described as a “hopeful message of continuity.” He compared Leo’s approach directly to that of Francis, who famously emphasized welcome and pastoral care, including remarks in 2018 in which Francis told a gay man that God loves him as he is.
The developments have prompted mixed reactions within the Catholic world. While some Catholics and advocates have praised the meeting as a sign of pastoral sensitivity and unity, critics who were uneasy with Francis’ outreach efforts have expressed concern that Pope Leo may continue in the same direction.
Church teaching maintains that same-sex attraction is not sinful in itself, while also holding that sexual activity is reserved for marriage between a man and a woman — a distinction that remains central to Catholic doctrine.
Still, Martin insists that the pope’s message is not about changing doctrine but about ensuring that people feel welcomed within the Church. “He wanted to continue with the same approach that Pope Francis had advanced,” Martin wrote, describing it as one of openness rather than exclusion.
As Pope Leo begins shaping his papacy, the signals from this early meeting suggest that, at least on questions of pastoral tone and outreach, the Church’s message under his leadership will look familiar — emphasizing welcome, dialogue, and the dignity of every person.