In a historic moment for inclusivity and recognition, around 1,400 LGBTQ+ Catholics, dressed in vibrant rainbow attire and carrying crosses, are gathering in Rome for the first officially recognized LGBTQ+ pilgrimage to the Vatican as part of the Jubilee Year celebrations. Pilgrims hailing from 20 countries are engaged in prayer vigils, masses, and other communal activities throughout the weekend, though they will not have an audience with Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV, who took office in May, has remained silent on LGBTQ+ issues, while his predecessor, Pope Francis, had made noteworthy strides prior to his passing in April. In a 2023 decree, Pope Francis allowed priests to bless same-sex couples—a move that provoked criticism from conservative factions within the Church, particularly from regions such as Africa.
Participants entered St Peter's Basilica through the Holy Door on Saturday, a powerful act symbolizing reconciliation. The Holy Door, which opens only once every 25 years, signifies a moment of grace and communion within the Church.
Francis DeBernardo, the executive director of New Ways Ministry, emphasized that not only are LGBTQ individuals asserting their place within the Church, but official Church entities are also assisting them in sharing their narratives. The Ministry's core mission is to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within Catholicism.
This year's Jubilee expects a staggering 32 million pilgrims to converge upon the Vatican. While Pope Leo has yet to release a formal statement addressing the LGBTQ+ community, Pope Francis previously articulated the importance of family rights for homosexual individuals, stating, 'they are children of God... nobody should be thrown out or made miserable over it.'
Despite the progressive moves towards inclusivity, the Vatican maintains its traditional stance on marriage, asserting that it is exclusively between a man and a woman, and reiterates that blessings for same-sex couples should not be integrated into the Church's regular rituals.
