Catholics for Choice Statement on the Appointment of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Contact: Ashley Hildebrand, Senior Advisor
Phone: (202) 294-4081
Email: media@catholicsforchoice.org
Catholics for Choice Statement on the Appointment of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV
WASHINGTON — Catholics for Choice, which uplifts and amplifies the voices of the majority of Catholics who believe in reproductive freedom, released the following statement from Interim President Chris Wimbush, welcoming Pope Leo XIV:
“On behalf of the staff and advocates of Catholics for Choice, I welcome Pope Leo XIV. We are praying that he will be a pope guided by a commitment to peace, justice, and inclusion.
“As a bishop and cardinal, Pope Leo has transcended borders in his ministry to people in poverty and to immigrants. His election today gives us a renewed sense of hope for a Catholic church that will recognize the importance of synodality, guided by the spirit of Pope Francis. And while he follows in a giant’s footsteps, we hope that he will leave his own unique mark as he guides the church forward.
“It is not lost on us that the first U.S. pope comes now, in 2025. Whether intentional or not, Pope Leo will immediately be cast as a foil to President Trump and Catholic Vice President Vance and their anti-immigrant, anti-peacemaking, anti-economic justice policies. It is our most fervent hope that Pope Leo will rise to this challenge and show the world what true, humble, global leadership looks like.
“Catholics for Choice represents people who are understandably concerned by the church’s regressive views on gender and sexuality. Women, people who have had abortions or used contraception, and LGBTQIA+ people are underrepresented where church decisions are made — including in the conclave.
“We know Pope Leo disagrees with 9 in 10 U.S. Catholics on abortion. Catholics for Choice’s work is more important than ever. That’s why we collected stories from the faithful Pope Leo now serves, who disagree with church teaching. We will be sending them to Pope Leo in the hope he will open his heart to listen. The future of our church depends on greater inclusion and nuance on reproductive health decisions like abortion, contraception, and IVF.”
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Catholics for Choice — which serves the pro-choice Catholic majority — encounters, educates, and emboldens people of faith who support reproductive freedom.
