Vatican Marks Historic First with Official LGBTQ+ Pilgrimage During Jubilee Year
VATICAN CITY – For the first time, the Vatican included an LGBTQ+ pilgrimage on its official Jubilee schedule, with over 1,400 believers participating in a procession through the Holy Gate at St. Peter’s Basilica. The event signifies a notable shift in the Catholic Church’s posture toward LGBTQ+ individuals, a change many attribute to the legacy of former Pope Francis.
Pilgrims shared experiences of past exclusion, recalling instances of detention during previous Jubilee years. Marianne Duddy Burke, head of DignityUSA, recounted being detained with a group of American LGBTQ+ believers 25 years ago, contrasting it with the current atmosphere, which she described as “a day of great party and hope.” Yveline Behets, a 68-year-old trans woman from Brussels, walked 130 kilometers to Rome, expressing a desire for the Church to demonstrate greater “diversity” and affirming, “we are not outsiders, but part of the family.”
The change in tone is largely credited to Pope Francis, who, since his election in 2013, responded to questions about homosexual priests with “Who can judge?” and stated in 2020 that homosexuals “have the right to be in the family.” He also authorized priests to bless same-sex couples in certain situations in 2023. While Church doctrine remains unchanged, these actions have demonstrably altered the Church’s approach to the LGBTQ+ community. Pope Francis passed away in April at the age of 88.
The election of Pope Leo XIV in May initially raised concerns due to his past criticism of the “gay lifestyle” in 2012.However, during a recent meeting with American Jesuit James Martin, Pope Leo XIV affirmed his intention to continue Francis’s openness, encouraging Martin to continue advocating for pastoral work with LGBTQ+ believers. Martin reported that the message from Pope Leo XIV, “like Francis, was to welcome everyone, including LGBTQ people.”
Approximately 32 million people are expected to attend the Jubilee Year celebration, with the LGBTQ+ pilgrimage emerging as a prominent symbol of the event.
