Over 1,400 Catholics donning rainbow attire and carrying crosses took part in the first officially recognized LGBTQ+ pilgrimage to Rome, aligned with the Vatican's Jubilee Year.
Pilgrims hailing from 20 different nations attended prayer vigils, masses, and various activities throughout the weekend, although there was no private audience with Pope Leo XIV. The late Pope Francis, who passed away in April, left behind a complex legacy concerning LGBTQ+ rights within the Roman Catholic Church, having recognized the validity of same-sex blessings through a decree in 2023, a move that elicited backlash from conservative factions.
On Saturday, LGBTQ+ community members marked a significant moment by entering St. Peter's Basilica via its Holy Door, which is only opened once every 25 years during jubilee celebrations. This act embodies the call for reconciliation and inclusivity within the Church. Not only are LGBTQ people marching and walking to say that they're part of the Church, but official Church institutions are welcoming them and helping them to tell their stories, expressed Francis DeBernardo, director of New Ways Ministry, an organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights within Catholicism.
This year's jubilee is anticipated to attract around 32 million pilgrims to the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV, elected in May, has yet to make a public statement regarding the LGBTQ+ community or to address the recent changes introduced under his predecessor. In recent years, discussions surrounding familial rights for homosexual individuals and the blessings of same-sex couples have highlighted the ongoing tensions within the Church regarding LGBTQ+ acceptance.
Despite the evolving landscape, the Vatican emphasizes its traditional view on marriage, which remains between a man and a woman; however, it has shown a willingness to engage in discussions surrounding inclusivity, evidenced by the acknowledgment of this historic pilgrimage.
