Dr. Claudia-Santi F. Fernandes is an assistant clinical professor at the Yale Child Study Center and vice president of research and evaluation at Born This Way Foundation. She is a proud Villanova graduate and Public Voices Fellow with The OpEd Project. The views expressed here are her own.
The election of a new pope—one with multiracial ancestry and a commitment to Augustinian principles—marks a powerful moment for Villanovans, Catholics, and anyone who believes in a more just world.
Pope Leo’s chosen name, rooted in defending human rights and advocating for social justice, gives me—a Villanova alumna taught to ignite positive change—hope. Hope that he’ll walk the same courageous path as Pope Francis, making space for those too often excluded, including LGBTQ+ communities.
From studying under Chilean poet Dr. Carlos Trujillo to service trips in the U.S. and abroad, I learned at Villanova that serving humanity is not just a calling. It’s a responsibility, especially when in service to those most vulnerable.
Nearly half of LGBTQ+ young people show signs of depression, and they’re more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Among trans and gender-expansive young people, 57% report being mocked by family members.
Their mental health struggles do not result from their identities—they’re a response to the stigma and rejection they face. A recent study in Nature confirmed that anti-LGBTQ+ policies are linked to higher suicide rates. Conversely, inclusive policies foster safer, healthier environments for all, not just LGBTQ+ young people. And we need them now more than ever.
Villanova’s mission is rooted in the values of Veritas (Truth), Unitas (Unity), and Caritas (Love). Augustine tells us to “become what you are not yet,” a call that reminds us that personal and spiritual growth is a journey. That journey includes evolving to embrace the freedom to love whom you choose. This isn’t a threat to our faith—it’s an important part of it.
Many religious communities, including Catholic ones, have too often chosen silence—or condemnation—toward LGBTQ+ people. That rejection contradicts our Augustinian teachings. Now Pope Leo has a chance to show how Augustinian principles extend to the many people who identify as LGBTQ+. It’s a path rooted in truth, compassion, and evidence. LGBTQ+ young people want to feel safe and supported in their communities, and research shows that support from peers and family is key to their wellbeing.
This isn’t about abandoning traditional teachings on marriage and sexuality. It’s about expanding it as Pope Francis did. Pope Leo may have made critical remarks about the LGBTQ+ community in the past, but in all spiritual journeys, tradition evolves to meet the needs of the people. If the pope is true to his Augustinian teachings, then perhaps he too believes—as his social media account suggests—that our faith doesn’t diminish when we choose to welcome others. It becomes stronger. Perhaps his beliefs about LGBTQ+ can evolve to welcome more love into the church.
Villanova teaches service through truth, unity, and love for all—including LGBTQ+ communities. Its alumnus, our first American pope, was shaped by the same Augustinian tradition. I hope and believe that Pope Leo will bring those values to the highest levels of the Church and shine light where it’s needed most.
