Pope Leo plans to keep Francis' key reforms but avoid bigger changes, he says

18/9/2025 17:29

Pope Leo will keep Pope Francis' signature policies to welcome gay Catholics, discuss women's ordination and give China input on bishop appointments, but is not planning big changes to Church teaching, he said in his first interview, released on Thursday.



Leo, who became the first U.S. pope in May, also expressed concern about the political environment in the U.S. and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. But showing characteristic reserve compared to his predecessor, Leo shied away from directly criticizing President Donald Trump or from saying that Israel has committed genocide.



The interview was conducted at the end of July for a biography being published by Penguin Peru. Initial excerpts were published last Sunday.



"I don't plan to get involved in partisan politics," said Leo, who was raised in Chicago. "There are significant issues that can be raised, but it would be impossible for the pope to get involved in individual countries around the world."