LGBTQIA+ Catholics participate in Vatican pilgrimage during ‘Holy Year’

LGBTQIA+ Community members arrive to participate in prayer vigil at the Church of Jesus, in the center of Rome AP/Andrew Medichini hundreds of LGBTQia+ Catholics and their families participated on Saturday (6) in a Holy Year pilgrimage in Rome. The event, unpublished in its size, was included in the official Vatican calendar for the Jubilee – a celebration held every 25 years. Mass crowded in Jesuit Church The celebration took place in the Church of Jesus (Chiesa del Gesu), a Jesuit temple in the center of the Italian capital, and was led by Dom Franceseco Savino, vice president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. During the homily, the bishop was applauded standing by stating that Jubilee has always been a time of liberation and hope for those who live on the shore. “It’s time to restore everyone’s dignity, especially those who were deprived of her,” said Savino. Andrea Mattei, holding a cross, arrives accompanied by other members of the LGBTQIA Community+ AP Photo/Andrew Medichini Event in the official program The pilgrimage was organized by the Italian association Jonathan’s Tent and was supported by groups such as Dignityuse and Outreach, from the United States. Although it has been listed in the Jubilee’s official calendar, the Vatican stressed that inclusion does not mean endorsement or sponsorship. Marianne Duddy Burke, from Dignityusa, recalled that in 2000, during the last jubilee, pilgrims LGBTQia+ were detained. “Now, being invited to cross the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, recognized in our faith and identity, is a source of great celebration and hope,” he said. Pope Leo XIV’s legacy, elected in May, made a general hearing for pilgrims, but did not mention the group specifically. Still, many participants have attributed the feeling of welcome to Pope Francis, who has been marked by gestures of approach since 2013 – as the phrase “Who am I to judge?” and the permission of blessings to homosexual couples. Francis maintained the doctrine of the Church, which considers homosexual acts “disordered” but multiplied meetings with LGBTQia+activists and communities. Justin del Rosario (left) and John Capozzi participate in the LGBTQIA+ Vigil+ Vigil+ in the Church of Jesus Ap Photo/Andrew Medichini Return to Faith Stories The American John Capozzi, present in the pilgrimage with her husband, Justin del Rosario, said he had left the church in the 1980s in the midst of the AIDS crisis, but returned after Francis. “I was a broken Catholic. With Francisco, I could say, I’m Catholic, I’m proud of it and I want to be in church,” he said. Del Rosario stated that the election of Leo XIV reinforced this continuity. “Francis influenced me to return. The Pope Lion only strengthened my faith,” he said. LGBTQIA+ community members participate in a prayer vigil. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini The position of Leo XIV The position of Leo XIV about LGBTQIA+ faithful+ was the subject of doubts, as in old statements he had criticized the “homosexual lifestyle”. However, as a cardinal, he recognized Francis’s call for a more inclusive church. This week, he received the Jesuit Father James Martin, defender of the reception of LGBTQIA+Catholics. After the hearing, Martin stated: “I heard from Leo the same message I heard from Francis: the desire to welcome everyone, including the LGBTQia+.” “Tears of hope” on the eve of the Mass, a vigil gathered testimonies from homosexual, family and religious couples. The Italian Father Fausto Focosi said the community lives a time of overcoming. “Our eyes knew the tears of rejection and shame. Today, however, new tears sprout, tears of hope.” Pope Leo XIV: 38% of Brazilians positively evaluate first months of papacy

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