Pope Leo XIV has emphasized the importance of family, the dignity of life, and the pursuit of peace in the early days of his pontificate. Speaking before the Vatican diplomatic corps in a private audience, according to AP, the Holy Father affirmed that the family is founded on the “stable union between a man and a woman” and underscored the inherent dignity of both the unborn and the elderly as creatures of God, according to a prepared text released by the Vatican.
The encounter, part of the protocol following a papal conclave, allowed Pope Leo XIV to address representatives of world governments ahead of his formal installation Mass. The Holy See, a sovereign state under international law, maintains diplomatic relations with over 180 countries and holds observer status at the United Nations.
Leo XIV, a member of the Augustinian order, has made peace a central theme of his papacy, echoing his initial words on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica after his May 8 election, “Peace be with you all.” During the address, he expanded on the nature of peace, asserting that it “isn’t just the absence of conflict but a ‘gift’ that requires work, from an end to the production of weapons to choosing words carefully,” according to the Vatican’s release. “For words too, not only weapons, can wound and even kill,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV also underscored the role of governments in fostering peaceful societies by investing in family structures. “Above all, by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman,” he stated. He further emphasized the protection of the vulnerable, saying, “No one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.”
The pope’s remarks align with longstanding Catholic teachings on marriage and life, consistent with the position of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who upheld core doctrines on marriage as a union between a man and a woman and denounced abortion and euthanasia as signs of a “throwaway culture.” While Pope Francis made significant strides in outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, he did not alter the Church’s teachings on marriage or homosexual acts, which remain defined as “intrinsically disordered.”
Before becoming pope, the Rev. Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was the head of the Augustinian order. In 2012, he criticized the “homosexual lifestyle” and the influence of media in promoting same-sex relationships contrary to Catholic teaching. A decade later, during the pontificate of Pope Francis, he acknowledged the importance of inclusivity, stating that he did not want people excluded based solely on their lifestyle choices, reflecting the shift towards a more pastoral approach.
As he begins his papacy, Pope Leo XIV continues to reinforce core Catholic doctrines while emphasizing the necessity of dialogue and the pursuit of peace in a divided world. His appeal to governments to foster family stability and safeguard the dignity of the vulnerable signals a continued focus on upholding traditional values while addressing modern challenges through a diplomatic and pastoral lens.
