Pope Leo XIV reiterated fundamental Catholic doctrines regarding marriage and abortion on Friday, highlighting that the family is established on a “stable union between a man and a woman” and that unborn children hold intrinsic dignity as creations of God.

Pope Leo, the first American to preside over the Catholic Church, delivered these comments during his initial meeting with the Vatican diplomatic corps. While the gathering was conducted in private, the Vatican made public both the pope’s prepared statements and those of the dean of the diplomatic corps.

This meeting, a customary procedure following a papal conclave, provides the newly elected pope with the chance to meet representatives from various global governments prior to his formal installation Mass, which is set for this Sunday, as reported by Fox Local.

Leo’s remarks are unlikely to be well-received by Democrats who have consistently advocated for gay marriage and abortion rights. In contrast, these comments will be welcomed by traditional Catholics, many of whom perceived the late Pope Francis as excessively liberal regarding these matters.

Leo, affiliated with the Augustinian religious order, additionally urged for a strengthened dedication to multilateral diplomacy and the encouragement of interfaith dialogue in the quest for global peace. Vatican City, acknowledged as a sovereign entity under international law, sustains diplomatic relations with over 180 nations and possesses observer status at the United Nations.

Since his election on May 8, Pope Leo XIV has prioritized peace as a fundamental aspect of his papacy, commencing with his inaugural address from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Peace be with you all.” He has underscored that peace transcends mere absence of conflict; it is a “gift” that necessitates proactive engagement, ranging from ceasing arms production to fostering considerate and deliberate communication, as reported by Fox Local.

“Words, like weapons, can inflict wounds and even cause death,” he remarked.

The pontiff further stated that it is the responsibility of governments to cultivate peaceful communities “primarily by investing in the family, which is based on the enduring union of a man and a woman.”

“Moreover, everyone is called to work towards ensuring respect for the dignity of every individual, particularly the most vulnerable and fragile, including the unborn, the elderly, the sick, and the unemployed, as well as citizens and immigrants,” he added.

Pope Francis has strongly reaffirmed the traditional teachings of the Catholic Church that oppose both abortion and euthanasia, characterizing these issues as reflections of the contemporary “throwaway culture.” Concurrently, he has made it a hallmark of his papacy to reach out to LGBTQ+ Catholics, consistently stressing their welcome within the Church. Nevertheless, he has not changed Church doctrine, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman and continues to label homosexual acts as “intrinsically disordered.”

In 2012, during his tenure as the leader of the Augustinian order, Leo expressed criticism of what he referred to as the “homosexual lifestyle” and the role of mass media in fostering acceptance of same-sex relationships, which he argued were at odds with Catholic teachings, as reported by Fox Local.

A decade later, under the pontificate of Pope Francis, he voiced his support for Francis’ appeal for a more inclusive Church, asserting that he did not believe anyone should be excluded merely due to their lifestyle.

At the same time, the pontiff’s eldest brother defended his decision to share a social media post that referred to California Representative Nancy Pelosi as a “drunk c-t,” stating on Monday, “I wouldn’t have posted it if I didn’t kind of believe it.”

Louis Prevost did not retract the vulgar remark directed at the former House speaker while speculating to British television host Piers Morgan about what President Trump’s initial meeting with the next pope might entail.

“However, I had no idea what was coming this soon, and I can tell you, since then, I’ve been very quiet, biting my tongue at some of the stuff that is out there on social media,” he continued, emphasizing that he identifies as a “MAGA type” but does not wish to cause issues for his brother.