Pope Francis has criticised the “hypocrisy” surrounding his decision to bless same-sex couples and labelled actions by Israel as “terrorism” in Hope: The Memoir, the first-ever memoir by a sitting pope. Initially intended for posthumous release, Francis chose to publish it alongside the Catholic Church’s Jubilee of Hope. 

In the memoir, the pope emphasises his stance on inclusivity, declaring, “Everyone in the Church is invited, including people who are divorced, homosexual, or transgender.” He reflects on meeting a group of trans women at the Vatican, saying: “They left in tears, moved because I had taken their hands, kissed them. But they are daughters of God!”  

Highlighting injustice, Francis notes that over 60 countries criminalise homosexuality. “Homosexuality is not a crime; it is a human fact,” he writes. “The Church and Christians cannot remain indifferent in the face of this criminal injustice, nor respond faint-heartedly.”

He also addresses hypocrisy within the Church, stating: “It is strange that nobody worries about blessing an entrepreneur who exploits people, or someone who pollutes our common home – both grave sins – but a public scandal erupts if the pope blesses a divorced woman or a homosexual.”

The pope also shares his grief over violence in Gaza. He recalls losing friends amidst the destruction and stresses the need for peace: “Any solution built upon revenge and violence can never bring peace, only hatred and resentment for generations to come.”

He condemns Israeli actions and describes them as acts of terrorism. “Tens of thousands of innocent deaths, mostly women and children; homes destroyed; people starving. The Holy Family Church in Gaza has become a theatre of death,” he writes.  

The pope also reflects on broader issues, criticising elitism, climate inaction, social media harm, and the refugee crisis. “Each day, the world grows crueler towards those cast out and abandoned,” he observes.  

Pope Francis shares personal insights within the memoir, describing himself as a sinner who confesses up to 20 times daily.

While the comments about LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Church are welcome, they come after Pope Francis was recently accused of using a homophobic Italian slur, ‘frociaggine’, which roughly translates as ‘f*ggotness’, when discussing concerns about homosexual behaviour in seminaries. After widespread criticism, the Pope apologised, stating that he had not intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms.

The incident drew further attention after Italian publication Il Messaggero published a letter by Lorenzo Michele Noè Caruso, a 22-year-old who said he was excluded from a seminary because he was gay. Caruso criticised the Church for fostering what he called “toxic and elective clericalism.” According to CNA (Catholic News Agency), Pope Francis responded to the man personally and encouraged him to pursue a vocation to the priesthood.