Let me tell you something.
I'm a non-practicing Catholic. I'm also gay. So my relationship with the Church is, let's say complicated. That's putting it nicely.
But here's the thing about being queer and complicated, you get really good at holding two things at once.
The first American pope in history, a guy from Chicago of all places, stands up and says "peace, love, welcome the stranger" and gets attacked for it by people in power. And I have feelings about that.
Do I agree with everything the Catholic Church stands for? Absolutely not. The Church has a long way to go when it comes to fully embracing my community and I won't pretend otherwise. But I know what it looks like when someone is preaching basic human decency and getting dragged for it. And I know which side I'm on.
Leo XIV's first words as pope were "peace be with you." He's been standing up for migrants, for the vulnerable, for the radical idea that maybe we treat people like humans. Revolutionary stuff apparently.
I'm a fuzzy little devil bear who sells shirts that make grandmothers uncomfortable. My whole existence is built on acceptance, body diversity, pride, and the belief that nobody gets to tell you that who you are is wrong.
Sounds a lot like "peace be with you" to me. Just with more naughtiness.
Naughty Bear
Naughty's Bear's Thoughts on Trump vs Pope
