VATICAN CITY (AP) — On Saturday, over 1,000 LGBTQ+ Catholics and their families participated in a significant Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome, marking a milestone in their acceptance within the Catholic Church. Many pilgrims credited Pope Francis for this more inclusive atmosphere, which had previously felt elusive to LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies within the church.
As they walked through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, many attendees experienced an emotional connection, calling the moment “historic.” Justin del Rosario, who carried a large wooden crucifix alongside his husband, expressed deep feelings of spirituality, stating, “It just felt epic, like I was able to touch the hand of God.”
Various LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, led by the Italian organization “Jonathan’s Tent,” organized the pilgrimage, included others like DignityUSA, Outreach, and the Brazilian National Network of LGBT+ Catholic Groups. While the event was listed in the Vatican's official calendar, Vatican officials clarified that this was merely a logistical measure and not an endorsement.
The pilgrimage's atmosphere of acceptance was a stark contrast to 25 years ago during the last Holy Year when a group of LGBTQ+ Americans was detained, viewed as a threat to the Holy Year celebrations. DignityUSA's Marianne Duddy Burke remarked on the significance of this year’s event, highlighting the recognition and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within the church.
Although Pope Leo XIV did hold a special Jubilee audience for all pilgrim groups, he did not specifically mention the LGBTQ+ Catholics. Many from the LGBTQ+ community attributed their feelings of welcome to Pope Francis, who has become known for his inclusive stance. The Pope’s historic remarks, such as “Who am I to judge?” and his support for priests to bless same-sex couples, exemplified a shift in church dynamics.
John Capozzi, who attended the pilgrimage with his husband, emphasized that Francis's approach brought him back to the church after he had distanced himself during the 1980s due to the stigma associated with his identity. “There was that feeling like I wasn’t welcome in the church... It was this fear of going back in because of the judgment,” he expressed, highlighting how Pope Francis had fostered a sense of inclusion and acceptance.
The event also featured a vigil service at one of Rome's main Jesuit churches, where pilgrims shared personal testimonies of their journeys, including experiences of rejection and shame. Italian priest Rev. Fausto Focosi reminded attendees that the tears of the past are now replaced with tears of hope, further reinforcing the notion of healing and acceptance within the community.
During the Mass for the pilgrims, celebrated by Bishop Franceseco Savino, attendees gave a standing ovation when he stated that Jubilee celebrations historically aimed to restore dignity to marginalized individuals. He urged attendees, “It is time to restore dignity to everyone, especially to those who have been denied it.”
In light of recent developments in the papacy, Pope Leo’s stance on LGBTQ+ Catholics remains to be fully clarified, especially given his earlier criticisms of the “homosexual lifestyle.” However, after acknowledging Pope Francis's call for inclusivity, he conveyed to LGBTQ+ advocate Rev. James Martin his intention to continue promoting the acceptance established by Francis.
Overall, the pilgrimage not only represented a moment of celebration for LGBTQ+ Catholics but also symbolized a continued journey towards greater acceptance and recognition within the broader Catholic Church. Participants like del Rosario and Capozzi felt increasingly welcome and encouraged in their spirituality, a sentiment that was amplified by both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV's evolving messages of inclusion.
