Pope Leo XIV sought to reassure Catholics in his first interview published Thursday that he would not change key doctrine on gay marriage and women deacons, after his predecessor's divisive papacy.

The US-born pontiff, elected four months ago, struck a different tone to outspoken Pope Francis, whose attempts to open the Church for the modern era enraged traditionalists.

In an interview with US journalist Elise Ann Allen for the book "Pope Leo XIV: Global Citizen, Missionary of the 21st Century," Leo admitted that "people want the church doctrine to change, want attitudes to change."

But he said "we have to change attitudes before we even think about changing what the Church says about any given question".

Leo said he shared Francis's desire to welcome everyone in to the Church, "but I

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