During a recent segment of The View, co-host Sunny Hostin expressed concern over Pope Leo XIV’s past statements about the LGBTQ+ community, calling attention to a 2012 speech in which he criticized what he described as increasing cultural support for “homosexual lifestyles” and “alternative families.” At the time, Pope Leo XIV was Cardinal Robert Prevost.
Hostin, who is a practicing Catholic, acknowledged the significance of the Church’s spiritual leadership, especially during a time of global division and social unrest. But she didn’t shy away from questioning whether the new pope will be welcoming to LGBTQ+ Catholics.
“The Catholic Church needs to be a place of healing and hope,” Hostin said. “There’s a lot of pain in the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to how the Church has handled these issues in the past.”
She contrasted Pope Leo XIV’s past rhetoric with the more inclusive tone adopted by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who made global headlines for saying “Who am I to judge?” in reference to gay priests and for expanding pastoral outreach to same-sex couples and families.
Co-host Ana Navarro offered a more tempered view, suggesting that Prevost’s 2012 comments should be understood in their historical context. She pointed to Pope Leo XIV’s first public remarks following his election, which emphasized love, compassion, and unity—suggesting there’s reason to believe his papacy could be more inclusive than some expect.
“He’s already spoken about building bridges and listening to all people,” Navarro said. “Let’s see where he leads the Church before rushing to judgment.”
The panel agreed that Pope Leo XIV’s leadership presents both a challenge and an opportunity—to reaffirm traditional doctrine while addressing the real-world concerns of Catholics who have long felt marginalized.
As the first American to ascend to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV enters his role under an intense global spotlight, and how he navigates cultural and spiritual debates—particularly around gender and sexuality—will help shape his legacy.
WATCH BELOW:
Purported “devout Catholic” Sunny Hostin fears Pope Leo XIV because of he believes marriage is between a man and a woman:
“I’m a little concerned about this choice for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2012 he gave an address to bishops, and he lamented ‘the popular culture fostered and… pic.twitter.com/HirlDlUQyq— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) May 9, 2025