On a bright September weekend in 2025, the cobblestone streets of Rome were abuzz with an energy that felt both jubilant and quietly revolutionary. Over 1,000 LGBTQ+ Catholics and their families, hailing from at least 20 countries, gathered for what has been described as the first officially recognized LGBTQ+ pilgrimage to the heart of the Catholic Church—a milestone that many participants called historic, even epic, in the centuries-old narrative of faith and inclusion.
The event, which unfolded from Friday, September 5, through Saturday, September 6, was anchored by powerful rituals and personal stories that underscored just how much the Church, and its relationship with LGBTQ+ people, has changed in recent years. Pilgrims donned rainbow attire, carried wooden crucifixes, and processed together to St. Peter’s Basilica, entering through the storied Holy Door—a rite of passage marking the Church’s Jubilee Year, which only occurs once every quarter century. The Holy Door, a symbol of forgiveness and reconciliation, was opened for the occasion, and for many, walking through it was not just a tradition, but a transformative act.
"It just felt epic, like I was able to touch the hand of God," said Justin del Rosario, who traveled from Washington, D.C., with his husband, John Capozzi. The couple, like many others, credited the evolving tone of the Catholic Church for making such a pilgrimage possible. According to CNN and the Associated Press, this year’s event was not only listed on the Vatican’s official calendar of Jubilee events—a first for an LGBTQ+ pilgrimage—but was also attended by groups as diverse as DignityUSA, Outreach, the Brazilian National Network of LGBT+ Catholic Groups, and the Italian advocacy organization Jonathan’s Tent, which served as the main sponsor.
It’s worth noting, as Vatican officials stressed, that inclusion on the calendar did not equate to formal endorsement or sponsorship; rather, it was a logistical move. Still, for many, the symbolism was unmistakable. Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, told the National Catholic Reporter, "Not only are LGBTQ people marching and walking to say that they're part of the Church, but official Church institutions are welcoming them and helping them to tell their stories."
The weekend’s events began with a standing-room-only vigil service on Friday night at the Church of the Gesù, a 17th-century baroque landmark in central Rome. Pilgrims sang, prayed, and listened to testimonies from gay couples, the mother of a transgender child, and clergy members. The service was marked by a procession with a rainbow-colored cross and the emotional words of Rev. Fausto Focosi: "Our eyes have known the tears of rejection, of hiding. They have known the tears of shame. And perhaps sometimes those tears still spring from our eyes. Today, however, there are other tears, new tears. They wash away the old ones. And so today these tears are tears of hope."
Saturday morning brought another moving ritual: Bishop Francesco Savino, vice president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, celebrated Mass at the Gesù. Some 30 priests concelebrated, including American Jesuit Father James Martin, a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ Catholics who had met privately with Pope Leo XIV earlier in the week. The church was packed, with attendees waving rainbow-colored fans and wearing shirts emblazoned with the words from 1 John 4:18: "there is no fear in love." In his homily, Savino declared, "The Jubilee was the time to free the oppressed and restore dignity to those who had been denied it. Brothers and sisters, I say this with emotion: It is time to restore dignity to everyone, especially to those who have been denied it." His words were met with a sustained standing ovation, and many left the church in tears—of hope, not shame.
The pilgrimage culminated that afternoon as the group processed to St. Peter’s Basilica and passed through the Holy Door. For some, this was a moment of reconciliation with a faith that had once seemed closed off to them. John Capozzi recalled his painful memories of leaving the Church during the AIDS crisis, when, as he put it, "there was that feeling like I wasn’t welcome in the church. Not because I was doing anything, just because I was who I was." But Pope Francis’s message of "todos, todos, todos"—everyone, everyone, everyone—helped him return. "With Pope Francis, I was able to come out and say, ‘Hey, you know, I am Catholic and I’m proud of it and I want to be part of the church.’"
Much of the credit for this shift is given to Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death in April 2025. Francis made headlines with his 2013 quip, "Who am I to judge?"—a phrase that signaled a new openness. He allowed priests to bless same-sex couples in a 2023 decree, stating unequivocally that "being homosexual is not a crime," and called for the decriminalization of homosexuality in Africa. While he did not alter the Church’s doctrine, which still describes homosexual acts as "intrinsically disordered," his practical approach to inclusion was seen as groundbreaking. As CNN pointed out, his support for civil unions and his repeated affirmations that LGBTQ+ people should be treated as "children of God" have left an indelible mark.
Yet, the future of this inclusiveness was uncertain with the election of Pope Leo XIV in May 2025. Early in his career, Leo—then known as Rev. Robert Prevost—had made comments critical of the "homosexual lifestyle" and the media’s sympathetic portrayal of same-sex families. However, after meeting with Father James Martin, Leo signaled continuity, telling Martin he intended to "continue Pope Francis’s policy of LGBTQ+ acceptance" and encouraged him to "keep up his advocacy." Martin later told The Associated Press, "I heard the same message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis, which is the desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people."
Even so, the Church’s official teachings remain unchanged. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls for people with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” to be treated with “respect, compassion, and sensitivity,” while also affirming that homosexual acts “cannot be approved.” This tension—between doctrine and pastoral practice—was evident throughout the weekend, as pilgrims and clergy alike navigated the balance between faithfulness to tradition and the call for greater inclusion.
As the weekend drew to a close, the sense among participants was one of cautious optimism. Michael O’Loughlin of Outreach described the pilgrimage as a “huge moment,” and many expressed hope that the Church’s journey toward inclusion would continue. As Cory Shade from Florida put it, “I think this is opening up the church to so many more people, to whole families, and it’s just such a welcoming experience.” For many, the pilgrimage was not just a celebration, but a sign of hope that the door—once closed—might finally stay open.