LGBTQ+ Catholics make historic pilgrimage at Vatican

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/9747/live/8b9dd900-8b8e-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/9747/live/8b9dd900-8b8e-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9747/live/8b9dd900-8b8e-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/9747/live/8b9dd900-8b8e-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/9747/live/8b9dd900-8b8e-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/9747/live/8b9dd900-8b8e-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/9747/live/8b9dd900-8b8e-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9747/live/8b9dd900-8b8e-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="AFP via Getty Images Pilgrims march to pass the holy door of St Peter's basilica during the LGTB jubilee, at the Vatican, on September 6, 2025. In a first for the Vatican, more than a thousand LGBTQ Catholics and their supporters are this weekend holding a pilgrimage" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> AFP through Getty Photos Pilgrims march to move the holy door of St Peter's basilica throughout the LGTB jubilee, on the Vatican

Some 1,400 Catholics donning rainbow apparel and carrying crosses are participating within the first formally recognised LGBTQ+ pilgrimage to Rome as a part of the Vatican's Jubilee 12 months.

Coming from 20 nations, pilgrims are attending prayer vigils, plenty and different actions this weekend - although they won't have a personal viewers with Pope Leo XIV.

His predecessor Pope Francis, who died in April, didn't change the Roman Catholic Church doctrine relating to the LGBTQ+ neighborhood - however made overtures in a decree in 2023.

These included permitting monks to bless same-sex {couples} - a transfer that angered conservatives Catholics, notably in Africa.

On Saturday, members from the LGBTQ+ neighborhood entered St Peter's Basilica although its Holy Door - a procession that symbolises reconciliation.

The door solely opens as soon as in 25 years to mark the Roman Catholic Church's jubilee years.

"Not solely are LGBTQ folks marching and strolling to say that they are a part of the Church, however official Church establishments are welcoming them and serving to them to inform their tales," Francis DeBernardo, government director of New Methods Ministry, was quoted as saying by the Nationwide Catholic Reporter web site.

The ministry helps advocate for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood inside the Catholic Church.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/f7fd/live/d89e7130-8b8c-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/f7fd/live/d89e7130-8b8c-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f7fd/live/d89e7130-8b8c-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/f7fd/live/d89e7130-8b8c-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/f7fd/live/d89e7130-8b8c-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/f7fd/live/d89e7130-8b8c-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/f7fd/live/d89e7130-8b8c-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f7fd/live/d89e7130-8b8c-11f0-b8ab-c959314f353e.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="NurPhoto via Getty Images A man holding a cross arrives with other members of the LGBTQ+ community to attend a Mass in the Church of the Gesu in central Rome, Italy" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> NurPhoto through Getty Photos Some 32 million pilgrims are anticipated to descend on the Vatican this yr for the Jubilee celebrations.