On May 16, 2025, Pope Leo XIV gave his first press talk at the Vatican. He made history as the first American Pope, and what he said quickly became news around the world.

In his speech, he strongly confirmed the Church’s belief that marriage should only be between one man and one woman. He referred to Church law, which says marriage is a lifelong promise to love, support each other, and have children.

Pope Leo XIV also spoke about the value of unborn life. He repeated the Church’s strong position against abortion and said that life should be protected from the very beginning—right from the moment of conception.

These ideas come from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which clearly teaches that all human life is sacred from the start. The Pope reminded people of these teachings in a firm and clear way.

His message wasn’t just a reminder of old beliefs—it was a strong statement in today’s world, where many people and governments have different views on family, life, and gender.

One viral post on X (formerly Twitter) showed a transgender flag with a red slash through it. This image made the Pope’s position even more clear, showing the tension between the Church’s beliefs and today’s popular gender views.

For centuries, the Church has taught that there are only two genders—male and female. Church documents and Catholic scholars have said that same-sex relationships go against natural law and aren’t ideal for raising children.

The Pope’s message received mixed reactions. Many people praised him for speaking clearly and standing by the Bible’s view of family, especially the story of Adam and Eve. Supporters said his words were needed in a time of confusion.

However, others criticized him, saying his message could make LGBTQ+ people feel left out. Pope Francis, who came before Pope Leo XIV, tried to welcome LGBTQ+ people more openly, even while still following Church doctrine.

This shows a wider conflict between traditional Church values and a modern push for more acceptance of different identities. It’s a struggle between sticking to old beliefs and adapting to new social changes.

As Pope Leo XIV begins his time as the head of the Church, his message makes one thing clear—he plans to protect and stick to the core values of Catholicism. But as the world changes fast, the conversations and challenges around these topics are just beginning.