• A Historic Gathering in the Heart of Catholicism

• Liturgical Affirmation and a Bishop's Emotional Homily

• From Margins to the Official Calendar A Symbolic Journey

• The Papal Influence of Francis A Decade of Shifting Tones

• Personal Testimonies of Return and Reconciliation

• The Unchanged Doctrine and the Path Ahead

Hundreds of LGBTQ+ Catholics and their families converged on Rome for a Holy Year pilgrimage, participating in an event that symbolized a significant evolution in the relationship between the Catholic Church and its LGBTQ+ faithful. For many, this gathering represented a newfound level of acceptance after decades of feeling ostracized and shunned by the institution they call their spiritual home. The pilgrimage, occurring during the once-every-quarter-century celebration of Catholicism, was not a protest but a celebration of faith, identity, and belonging. A central theme echoed by participants was the transformative impact of Pope Francis, whose papacy from 2013 to 2025 ushered in a markedly different tone of welcome and pastoral care, even as core Church doctrine on homosexuality remained unchanged. This event served as a powerful public testament to a complex and ongoing journey within the global Catholic community, highlighting the tension between official teaching and the lived experience of millions of believers.

The pilgrimage reached a profound liturgical climax with a Mass celebrated in the packed Chiesa del Gesù, the main Jesuit church in Rome. The celebrant was Bishop Francesco Savino, Vice President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, whose presence lent the event a significant degree of institutional recognition. During his homily, Bishop Savino delivered a message that resonated deeply with the congregation. He recalled the historical purpose of Jubilee celebrations, which was to restore hope to those on the margins of society. His declaration, "The Jubilee was the time to free the oppressed and restore dignity to those who had been denied it," was met with a sustained and emotional standing ovation. He continued with palpable emotion, stating, "Brothers and sisters, I say this with emotion: It is time to restore dignity to everyone, especially to those who have been denied it." This moment was not merely a sermon but a powerful, public affirmation from a high-ranking church official, acknowledging past wounds and pointing toward a more inclusive vision of the Church's mission.

The symbolic importance of the pilgrimage was further amplified by its inclusion in the Vatican's official calendar of events for the Holy Year. This listing marked a historic first, granting a level of visibility and legitimacy to an LGBTQ+ Catholic event that was previously unthinkable. Vatican organizers were careful to clarify that the listing did not equate to official endorsement or sponsorship, a nuance that reflects the delicate balancing act within the Holy See. The main organizer was the Italian LGBTQ+ Catholic advocacy group "Jonathan's Tent," with participation from other organizations including DignityUSA and Outreach from the United States. The stark contrast with the past was vividly illustrated by Marianne Duddy Burke, Executive Director of DignityUSA, who shared her personal experience from the previous Holy Year twenty-five years prior. "I was here 25 years ago at the last Holy Year with a contingent of LGBTQ people from the U.S. and we were actually detained as a threat to the Holy Year programs," she revealed. To now be "fully recognized as who we are and the gifts we bring to the church" and to walk through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica represented, for her, "a day of great celebration and hope."

This palpable shift in atmosphere was widely attributed to the influence of Pope Francis. Throughout his pontificate, Francis distinguished himself through a consistent message of mercy and inclusion directed toward LGBTQ+ individuals. This began with his groundbreaking 2013 comment, "Who am I to judge?" regarding a purportedly gay priest, and culminated in his landmark 2023 decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples. It is crucial to note that Pope Francis did not change the underlying Catholic teaching, which continues to describe homosexual acts as "intrinsically disordered." However, his pastoral approach marked a dramatic departure. He met directly with LGBTQ+ advocates, ministered to a community of transgender women in Rome, and in a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, unequivocally declared that "being homosexual is not a crime." These actions, while theologically nuanced, sent a clear signal of welcome that has been felt deeply within the community, encouraging a sense of belonging that many thought was impossible.

The human impact of this evolving stance was evident in the personal stories shared by pilgrims. John Capozzi of Washington D.C., who participated in the pilgrimage with his husband, Justin del Rosario, recounted his personal journey of leaving and returning to the Church. He left in the 1980s during the height of the AIDS crisis, a time when he felt profoundly shunned and unwelcome by his fellow Catholics. "There was that feeling like I wasn't welcome in the church," Capozzi recalled. The attitude fostered by Pope Francis, however, created a space that felt sufficiently welcoming to draw him back. His story is a microcosm of a broader phenomenon, where the pope's emphasis on a Church that is a "field hospital" for the wounded has provided a pathway for reconciliation for many who felt exiled. While Pope Francis celebrated a special Jubilee audience for all pilgrim groups in Rome that weekend without making a special mention of the LGBTQ+ Catholics, his general message of inclusion had already set the tone, making their official participation possible.

Despite this historic moment of visibility and affirmation, the path forward for LGBTQ+ Catholics remains complex and fraught with challenge. The Church's Catechism has not been altered, and conservative factions within the global Church strongly oppose the blessings of same-sex couples and any further doctrinal developments. The experience of welcome can vary dramatically from one diocese to another, and from one parish to the next, often depending on the views of the local bishop or priest. The pilgrimage in Rome, therefore, represents not an endpoint but a significant milestone. It demonstrates a growing movement within the Church that seeks to fully integrate faith and identity, demanding both pastoral care and doctrinal re-evaluation. The sustained applause for Bishop Savino s homily and the tears of joy reported by many participants signal a deep, pent-up desire for a Church that lives up to its own call to be a universal sacrament of salvation and love for all people, without exception.

Источник: https://municipal-times.com/component/k2/item/215638