British News Agency

Pope Leo XIV, in an interview with journalist Elise Ann Allen on the occasion of the release of his autobiography “Pope Leo XIV: Global Citizen, Missionary of the 21st Century,” assured Catholics that he does not intend to change the Church’s teachings on same-sex marriage and that women would be allowed to serve as deacons.

In this first interview since his election four months ago, Leo gave a very different impression compared to his predecessor Francis, who passed away in April. Francis often stirred turmoil within the Church with his frankness, desire for change, and willingness to welcome “sinners,” indeed all people.

Leo said that while he shared Francis’s desire, he saw no reason to invite people into the Church merely on the basis of their personal identity. He acknowledged that the public seeks changes in the Church’s doctrines and attitudes.

“But before thinking of changing everything the Church teaches, there needs to be a change in attitude,” Leo said. In his biography, he stated that the Church’s teachings would not change during his time, and in the interview he added that the likelihood of doctrines on gender identity and marriage changing in the near future is very low.

This also applies to demands for women to serve as deacons. He said that his primary duty would not be to address the issue of child abuse by Catholic priests, even though it remains a serious threat.

He stressed that accused priests are innocent until proven guilty, and that the Church’s work should not revolve around this single issue.

Leo also said he wanted to avoid the tensions caused by same-sex marriage within the Catholic Church. According to the Pope, marriage is the union between a man and a woman.