Pope Leo XIV affirmed that the family is founded on the "stable union between a man and a woman" and emphasized the dignity of the unborn and the elderly as God's creatures in his first private address to the Vatican diplomatic corps on Friday. The address came ahead of his formal installation Mass, scheduled for Sunday May 18, which will be attended by some world leaders including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The Pope reiterated the Catholic Church's traditional stance on marriage and abortion, emphasizing the inherent dignity of all individuals, especially the most vulnerable. He called for governments to build peaceful societies by investing in the family, which he defined as a union between a man and a woman.
Christians worldwide have criticized the aggressive effort by left-wing activists and globalists to corrupt and push leaders of churches and government institutions to weaken their stance against LGBTQ degeneracy.
To conservatives, marriage is sacrosanct and vital to societal wellbeing. They also oppose child adoption by homosexual partners.
Leo XIV also underscored the inherent dignity of every person, particularly the most vulnerable, including the unborn, elderly, sick, unemployed, and immigrants, asserting that this dignity is unchanging as “creatures willed and loved by God.” These remarks were part of his first major address since his election on May 8, 2025, and were released in prepared texts by the Vatican.
“In addition, 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,” he said.
During the address Friday, to the diplomatic corps representing nearly 200 countries, Leo XIV also stressed the importance of inter-religious dialogue and multilateral diplomacy in the pursuit of peace.
Notable world leaders including Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to attend the Pope's formal installation mass Sunday.