Dear Listeners,
In our latest podcast episode of Whiplash, Emma and I dive into the legacy of one of the most loved and yet also controversial popes in recent memory—Pope Francis—through the lens of queer Catholic experience.
When Francis stepped onto the balcony in 2013, he focused on mercy, inclusion, and care for the marginalized. He washed the feet of prisoners, met with trans people, and embraced refugees. He called for a "poor Church for the poor." And for many of us, he seemed to open a door.
But behind that door? Vatican documents that fail to respect the dignity of transgender and intersex people. The usage of an Italian slur for gay men. A refusal to name the violence done to LGBTQ+ people in the Church. In this episode, we talk about what Pope Francis really meant to queer Catholics—in ways both hopeful and complicated.
We explore:
His roots in a post-Conciliar Church shaped by radical traditionalists (Emma has her history hat on for this one!)
The impact of John Paul II and Benedict XVI on queer Catholic life prior to Pope Francis
The contradictions of Francis's papacy—from gestures of radical welcome to calling gender ideology the “ugliest danger of our time”
Why his death marks more than the end of a papacy—it marks a reckoning
Plus, Max shares what it felt like to meet Pope Francis as a trans man—and the quiet, unresolved ache that moment still holds for him.
🎧 Listen to the episode here on Substack
Or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and now on YouTube.
As always, we’re grateful for your support, your stories, and your witness. Paid subscribers help us keep this work going—and also get access to future behind-the-scenes perks.
In solidarity,
Max & Emma
P.S. Got thoughts or feelings about Francis, or your own story as a queer Catholic under his papacy? Hit reply—we want to hear from you.
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