“I have never refused the eucharist to anyone,” the pope said, calling on bishops to be pastors, not politicians. “What must the pastor do?” he continued. “Be a pastor, don’t go condemning. Be a pastor, because he is a pastor also for the excommunicated.”

But he also firmly stated his opposition to abortion, calling it “homicide.” “Whoever has an abortion kills,” he said.

Although Francis strived to avoid an escalation of the culture wars and a polarization of his flock, he offered encouraging words to LGBTQ+ Catholics. While flying back to Rome from Portugal in August 2023, he told reporters that the Catholic Church was open to all and that it has a duty to accompany people on their personal path of spirituality within the framework of its rules.

During one event in Portugal, Francis touted the inclusive nature of the church by leading a crowd in a chant of “Todos, todos, todos!” (Everyone, everyone, everyone!).

He capped off 2023 by saying priests could bless same-sex couples, a major change in Vatican policy. The pope said such blessings shouldn’t resemble marriages, but that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.

He also wanted a greater role for women in the church, particularly in high-ranking Vatican positions. In April 2023, he announced that he had decided to give women the right to vote at an upcoming meeting of bishops. It was a historic first and accomplished two goals: giving women greater decision-making responsibilities and allowing laypeople more say in the life of the church.