More than 1,000 LGBTQ Catholics and their families walked through the Holy Gate of St. Peter’s Basilica this weekend The official holy year of the Vatican calendar.
The event appeared on its website on September 6, 2025 with the neutral title “Tenda di Gionata Association (Jonathan’s Tent) and other associations”.
The list marks the first time the LGBTQ pilgrimage is included in the Vatican’s Jubilee Year program.
Many pilgrims praise it as a welcome sign Pope Francis The 12-year-old Pope, while critics of the Catholic media critics slammed the move to undermine the traditions of the church.
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Andrea Mattei arrived with the Rainbow Cross with other members of the LGBTQ+ community to attend a vigil prayer at the Church of Gersue in downtown Rome on Friday, September 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medicin)
Some participants cried as they entered the cathedral. Justin del Rosario Tell the Associated PressHe carried the crucifix along the entire threshold with his male partner.
The pilgrims are from the United States, Italy and Brazil. The group includes delegations of Dignityusa, Outreach and Trans Rome.
Many pointed to Pope Francis’s record, saying from his 2013 speech: “Who should I judge?” His decision allowed the pastor to bless same-sex couples, and pave the way for pilgrimage. Although it will never change Church teaching Regarding homosexuality, Francis repeatedly met with LGBT advocates.
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Hundreds of LGBTQ+ Catholics and their families joined the Holy Year pilgrimage in Rome to celebrate the new level of the Catholic Church, thanks to the changes in Pope Francis, passing through the Holy Gate of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo 14his pope has not mentioned LGBTQ Catholics in his Jubilee audience in just a few months, but met with Jesuit priests in private this week. James Martin said the Holy Father responded to Francis’ enthusiastic message.
Vatican officials stressed that adding pilgrimage to the calendar is logistical, not recognition. “They are not sponsoring events. Once the space is determined, we insert pilgrimage into the general calendar,” Vatican spokesman Agnese Palmucci Tell Reuters.
Online responses showed obvious differences.
Hundreds of LGBTQ+ Catholics and their families joined the Holy Year pilgrimage in Rome to celebrate the new level of the Catholic Church, thanks to the changes in Pope Francis, passing through the Holy Gate of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
“Yes, the Vatican’s first LGBTQ+ pilgrim approved Francis a few months before his death this weekend, led by Pope Leo.” Posted on X the Pope’s Desire (@clubconcrave).
Others condemn this betrayal of the doctrine. “F —The rules within St. Peter’s Basilica. LGBTGroup la tenda di gionata entered St. Peter’s Basilica today…it’s the new church. It seems that the legacy of Pope Francis,” said Catholic commentator Michael J.
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The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
