'The View' co-host Sunny Hostin 'concerned' for LGBTQ community with new pope

Fox News - May 10th, 2025

Sunny Hostin, co-host of 'The View,' expressed concern for the LGBTQ+ community following the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost. Hostin highlighted a resurfaced 2012 statement from the new pope lamenting the 'homosexual lifestyle' and alternative family structures. This has sparked a debate among commentators about the potential direction of his papacy, given his past remarks and the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who was known for a more inclusive approach towards the LGBTQ+ community.

Pope Leo XIV's election is notable as he is the first American to assume the papacy, seen as a compromise candidate balancing traditional and progressive factions within the Roman Catholic Church. His past statements have raised questions about how he will navigate contemporary issues and whether he will maintain the inclusivity fostered by Pope Francis. With his election being both a historic and potentially contentious moment, the global Catholic community is watching closely to see how his leadership will unfold, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion.

Pope Francis The View Sunny Hostin Catholic Church Lgbtq+ Pope Leo Xiv Robert Prevost

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RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging overview of the election of Pope Leo XIV, incorporating perspectives from public figures to highlight potential implications for the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ+ community. While the story succeeds in capturing attention and sparking discussion, its overall quality is hindered by a lack of verifiable evidence for certain claims, particularly those regarding the Pope's past statements. The balance of viewpoints is commendable, offering a range of opinions that enrich the narrative, though the reliance on less authoritative sources diminishes the story's credibility. Despite these shortcomings, the article effectively addresses a topic of significant public interest, contributing to ongoing debates about inclusivity and leadership within the Catholic Church.

Accuracy

The story's accuracy is mixed, with some claims verified and others lacking direct evidence. The election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV is confirmed, aligning with the factual timeline. However, the specific statements attributed to Pope Leo XIV regarding the LGBTQ+ community and gender ideology lack direct verification. The story accurately captures Sunny Hostin's concerns and her quotes, which are consistent with her public persona. Overall, while the story includes some accurate elements, it fails to substantiate all claims with verifiable sources.

Balance

The article presents a range of perspectives, including Sunny Hostin's concerns and Ana Navarro's more hopeful stance regarding Pope Leo XIV's potential inclusivity. This balance of viewpoints suggests an attempt to provide a fair representation of opinions within the context of the Catholic Church's leadership change. However, the article leans slightly towards emphasizing concerns over Pope Leo XIV's past statements, potentially overshadowing other aspects of his papacy. The inclusion of President Trump's reaction adds a political dimension, offering a broader context.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it accessible to a broad audience. It presents the sequence of events logically, with a focus on the reactions to Pope Leo XIV's election. However, the clarity is somewhat compromised by the lack of specific evidence for certain claims, which may leave readers questioning the veracity of the information. The narrative flow is coherent, but the absence of substantiated details might confuse readers seeking a deeper understanding of the Pope's stance on LGBTQ+ issues.

Source quality

The story cites public figures and their statements, which are credible sources for opinions. However, it lacks authoritative sources or direct quotes from Pope Leo XIV or official Vatican communications to substantiate claims about his past statements. The reliance on co-hosts from 'The View' and their interpretations may introduce bias, as they are not primary sources of information about the Pope's statements or intentions. The article would benefit from more diverse and authoritative sources to enhance reliability.

Transparency

The article provides some context regarding the election of Pope Leo XIV and the reactions of public figures, but it lacks transparency in sourcing specific claims about the Pope's past statements. The absence of direct quotes or citations from primary sources diminishes the transparency of the reporting. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that may influence the opinions presented, which could impact the reader's understanding of the motivations behind the views expressed.