For the first time in history, the Vatican has officially recognised an LGBTQIA+ pilgrimage, welcoming more than 1,400 Catholics from 24 countries to Rome for the Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope.
Pilgrims Walk Through the Holy Door
The event began with a panel hosted by Father James Martin, Jesuit priest and co-founder of Outreach, where members of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics and a trans woman from New Jersey shared their hopes for the Church’s future.
On Saturday, Italian group La Tienda di Gionata led pilgrims through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica, a threshold only opened once every 25 years for the Catholic Jubilee or Holy Year.
It marked a striking contrast to 2000, when Pope John Paul II condemned WorldPride in Rome.
“Twenty-five years later LGBTQ Catholics are being welcomed through the Holy Door at the Vatican. It’s a big change,” said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry.
Messages of Dignity and Hope
Pilgrims attended a Mass at Rome’s Church of the Gesù, led by Bishop Francesco Savino, Vice President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference.
“We are all [on] a pilgrim people of hope,” Savino said in his homily. “We have to go forward, convinced that God loves us with a unique and unconditional love. In that awareness there is the foundation of all hope.”
Pope Leo and the Legacy of Francis
Earlier in the week, Father Martin had a private audience with Pope Leo, who succeeded Pope Francis in 2025.
Martin said he received the same message from Pope Leo as he had from Francis:
“The desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people. It was wonderful. It was very consoling, very encouraging, and frankly a lot of fun.”
The Vatican’s doctrinal office recently confirmed that Pope Leo would not reverse Pope Francis’ policies allowing blessings for people in same-sex relationships. Francis had also expanded inclusion by permitting the baptism of children of same-sex couples and allowing transgender Catholics to serve as godparents under certain conditions.
