Habemus Papam: But What’s His Stance on Condoms?
As an infectious diseases doctor, I can’t help but wonder what Pope Leo thinks about latex
Although I’m not Catholic, I must admit I got caught up in the excitement over the announcement of a new leader for the world’s two billion Catholics. The sheer exuberance of the faithful around the globe and here in the U.S., where the new pontiff hails from was infectious. As I chuckled my way while scrolling through the memes and hot takes online, reading speculation about where Pope Leo XIV might land on various hot-button issues, one question bubbled up for me.
What’s his take on condoms, contraception, and STIs?
Let’s call it a professional quirk. As an infectious diseases doctor, my mind lives permanently in the proverbial gutter.
You see, the Vatican has always had thoughts about sex. So many thoughts. The kind wrapped in dense moral theology and sealed with a wax stamp of “no, thank you.”
And I’ve lived through three popes now (I’m not that old, I promise). So come with me on a little rewind let’s take a stroll through papal history and see where the last three stood on sexual health.
Pope John Paul II: The Condom Cold Shoulder
Charismatic. Revered. Globally influential. And unwaveringly opposed to condoms.
Pope John Paul II rejected artificial contraception in all its forms. During his long papacy (1978-2005), as HIV tore through communities in Africa and beyond, the Church’s official stance clung tightly to abstinence (which, let’s be honest, has never stopped anyone from having sex) and marital fidelity (noble in theory, but hardly the only relationship model out there). Harm reduction tools like condoms were brushed aside as morally dubious. And that had real-world consequences. In many regions, Catholic hospitals were the only healthcare providers available. You could get antiretrovirals and a prayer but asking for condoms was like pitching Sex Ed at a chastity convention.
Pope Benedict XVI: Condoms? Maybe. Sometimes. Sort of.
Benedict XVI (2005-2013), the traditionalist theologian, wasn’t exactly known for his modern takes. In fact, he seemed determined to drag the Church back to the 17th century with Latin masses and strict adherence to old-school doctrine. But then, in 2010, he surprised everyone by suggesting that condom use might be justified in certain situations like a male sex worker trying to prevent HIV transmission.
Oooh la la Pope Uptight giving a side-eye green light to condoms? It wasn’t a doctrinal overhaul, but it cracked open the door. Cue weeks of Vatican gymnastics as spokespeople tried to explain how this wasn’t really an endorsement of condoms. It was progress but of the tiptoe-don’t-scare-the-bishops variety but still, a win for Team Prevention.
Pope Francis: Pastoral Over Papal Pronouncements
Pope Francis (2013-2025) , widely seen as one of the most compassionate pontiffs, brought warmth and ambiguity in equal measure. While Church doctrine on contraception remained unchanged (spoiler: still a “NO”), he prioritized care over condemnation. His papacy saw Catholic health programs quietly expand HIV prevention services even if they didn’t exactly lead with a bowl of condoms at the clinic door. His vibe? Less “hellfire and brimstone,” more “let’s care for people where they are”. He signaled a gentler, more inclusive tone toward LGBTQ+ Catholics, showing that pastoral care didn’t always have to come with a finger wag. And honestly, that was a breath of fresh air.
Enter Pope Leo: The Meme-Worthy Mystery
And now we have Pope Leo XIV: the first American-Peruvian pope, with Italian, and Black Louisiana Creole roots. An Augustinian. A meme generator. An all-around enigmatic figure who has captured the world’s imagination this week and remains entirely TBD on sexual health messaging. Will he carry Francis’s torch of pastoral compassion, or swing the pendulum back toward firmer doctrine? We don’t know yet. But as someone who has spent years in the trenches fighting preventable infections, I can’t help but hope that he will embrace a science-informed, pragmatic approach to sexual health. It matters that the religious leader of 2 billion catholics should be someone who believes that preventing HIV, reducing STIs, and upholding human dignity are not mutually exclusive goals. Condoms may be theologically complicated, but from a public health perspective when used consistently and correctly? They are as close to a miracle in STI and pregnancy prevention as latex gets.
Final Thoughts (From the ID Corner)
It might seem like a small thing in the vast universe of Catholic doctrine. But the Church’s positions on these issues shape health policies, influence foreign aid, and affect millions of lives especially in places like sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America where Catholic healthcare providers are the backbone of care. So yes, I’ll be watching to see whether Pope Leo brings intellectual flexibility to matters of the bedroom. And maybe just maybe the next time we hear “Habemus Papam,” it might also come with a quiet “Habemus Condom.”
P.S
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