(CNS/Lola Gomez)Pope Leo XIV's just-released comments embracing his predecessor Pope Francis' hallmark approach to LGBTQ+ Catholics could have a lasting impact on the church because the papal tone on such matters appears to predict priests' attitudes, specifically how U.S. priests approach LGBTQ+ issues, according to a new study. Priests who expressed approval of Pope Francis consistently showed a greater willingness to adopt what Sharma calls a "pastoral approach" on homosexuality. AdvertisementYet surveying priests, Sharma noted, is never straightforward. (CNS/Lola Gomez)Mentorship and recruitment may reinforce these trends: Conservative priests may influence and attract more conservative aspirants, producing a self-reinforcing cycle, he added. Pope Francis greets Jesuit Fr.