While Vatican officials debated the intricacies of the Catholic Church’s stances on homosexuality last week, several Catholic University students shared an unrepentant embrace of same-sex couples. 
In a Vatican statement released Oct. 13, Pope Francis and a panel of cardinals said the church must “turn respectfully” to same-sex couples and “appreciate the positive values” of gay unions. 
The document also said gay people have “gifts and qualities” to offer the community and recognized the “precious support” those in same-sex relationships can offer one another. 
However, bishops abridged the final report Saturday, scrapping terminology pertaining to “gifts and qualities” and “precious support.”
“I question why they were taken out,” said Tiffany Byrd, a communication disorders freshman. “I do certainly think that those individuals do have gifts and qualities, and I do certainly also agree that even in a same-sex relationship, you can still offer a person support.”
Though Byrd said she does not consider same-sex relationships holy, she feels the church needs to make a greater effort to embrace gay people — a sentiment echoed by young Catholics across campus. 
French and horticulture freshman Celine Richard said young people contribute to a more tolerant atmosphere in the church.
“Anyone who I have personally talked to about it has been pretty open,” Richard said. “Personally, I have several homosexual friends.”
Biology senior Alex Nay said he was in favor of the Vatican’s initial statement, which was heavily influenced by Pope Francis.
“I like it because Catholicism is inclusive. Jesus had prostitutes who hung around with him,” Nay said. “I really do think that Pope Francis is on the right track. Everyone outside the Catholic community thinks that because homosexuality is against the moral code, Catholics shun out homosexuals and really try to take them out of the community.”
Byrd also emphasized her admiration of Francis and the role he was playing in shaping Catholic perceptions toward the gay community.
“I do think that, as a pope, he has been able to show the people of the world that, as a leader, there’s so many qualities that each individual person in the world has to offer,” Byrd said, echoing language from  Monday’s document.
Byrd said the Pope’s views have helped shape her peers’ faiths throughout college. 
Julianne Martin, president of a University LGBT group, also heaped praise on Francis.
“Pope Francis has really been trying to be more progressive as opposed to traditional Catholic values,” Martin said. “With the newest statement, it’s just kind of sad to see that the Pope’s views aren’t shared with everyone.”
Martin said she was fortunate to grow up in an accepting church in her hometown and does not disagree with all aspects of her faith.
“It’s never been a real problem for me,” Martin said. “I see people out there who are like, ‘Oh yes I’m Catholic, I’m Christian,’ and they’re treating people poorly, and I’m like, ‘That’s not how it rolls.’ That’s not what my God does.”
Undeclared freshman Katie Rose DeLeo, a Catholic who practices at Christ the King at LSU, said she supports same-sex marriage. 
“I really believe that God made everyone the way they’re supposed to be,” DeLeo said. “I personally think that the first statement was a good step in a new direction. If they continue in this direction, we could be doing great things.”
Despite DeLeo’s wishes for same-sex marriage in the Catholic Church, Father Joshua Johnson, a priest at Christ the King at LSU, said such a union would never be a possibility for the faith.
“We can’t make up new rules, you know? We’re not saying that we can change the teachings,” Johnson said. “We can’t say women can be priests. The list goes on and on and on.”
Johnson said he has not seen a noticeable change in young Catholics’ responses to the church’s doctrines on homosexuality. 
“That’s never really come up as an issue here at Christ the King,” Johnson said. “I think, whether you’re heterosexual or homosexual, we’re called to love people first of all.” 
Johnson said the church has always been tolerant toward gay people.
“I know the media is making a big deal right now about what different priests are saying, what different bishops and cardinals are saying,” Johnson said. “As far as inclusivity, the church has always been inclusive and it’s always been welcoming. We’ve always encouraged everyone to come.”
Byrd said she expects the Catholic Church to only become more inclusive as time goes on, largely as a result of its younger members’ values.
“Young people are where our future is going. They’re going to be the ones to start the future. These are the people that have the most influence,” Byrd said. “Even the people who are  older than them are looking back  and saying, ‘Okay, what are they thinking?’”