Pope Francis has once again written to prominent pro-LGBT Jesuit Father James Martin, praising the priest for his LGBT advocacy and offering support for a pro-LGBT conference Martin is scheduled to hold.
The letter was dated May 6, 2023, and was written by hand by the Pope, in Spanish. Outreach, Martin’s own “LGBTQ Catholic resource” group, released an image of the letter on June 14, along with translations of the Pope’s words.
Addressing Martin as “dear brother” – as has become Francis’ norm in the now not infrequent letters he sends to the American Jesuit – the Pope wrote:
Thank you very much for your email. Thank you for all the good you are doing. Thank you!
I pray for you, please do so for me.
I send my best regards to the members of the meeting at Fordham University. Thank you for delivering it to them. In my prayers and good wishes are you and all who are working at the Outreach Conference.
Again, thank you, thank you for your witness.
May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin take care of you.
Fraternally,
Francisco
