• Over 1,000 LGBTQ Catholics participated in a historic pilgrimage to Rome.
• Pope Francis credited for fostering a welcoming environment in the Church.
• Bishop Francesco Savino emphasized the importance of restoring dignity for marginalized communities.
• Participants shared personal stories of acceptance and hope during the event.
• Pope Leo XIV signals intent to continue the journey toward inclusivity.

More than 1,000 LGBTQ Catholics and their families participated in a Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome, celebrating a newfound sense of acceptance within the Catholic Church while crediting the late Pope Francis for much of the change. The pilgrimage included walking through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, a significant moment that many described as historic for the church and the LGBTQ community. “It just felt epic, like I was able to touch the hand of God,” said Justin del Rosario, who participated with his husband, highlighting the emotional weight of the event, according to SCMP, CBS News, and LA Times.

Bishop Francesco Savino, vice president of the Italian bishops’ conference, celebrated Mass for the pilgrims in a crowded Chiesa del Gesu, receiving a sustained standing ovation during his homily. He emphasized the Jubilee's purpose: “The Jubilee was the time to free the oppressed and restore dignity to those who had been denied it,” further reinforcing the message of inclusion and acceptance, as noted by CBS News and LA Times.

The event featured a variety of LGBTQ groups, including the main organizer, Jonathan’s Tent, alongside DignityUSA and Outreach. The official inclusion of these groups in the Vatican's calendar signifies a notable shift considering past detentions of LGBTQ attendees during previous Holy Year celebrations. “To now be invited to walk through the Holy Door... is a day of great celebration and hope," expressed Marianne Duddy Burke of DignityUSA, illustrating the progress made since those earlier times, according to SCMP and LA Times.

Many attendees credited Pope Francis for their feeling of acceptance, recalling his groundbreaking, inclusive remarks since his papacy began in 2013, such as “Who am I to judge?” which symbolized a shift in Church dialogue on LGBTQ issues. Though he maintained that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered," his outreach and meetings with LGBTQ advocates have made a significant impact over his papacy, as highlighted by CBS News, SCMP, and LA Times.

John Capozzi, who participated in the pilgrimage, expressed how Pope Francis' welcoming attitude brought him back to the church after feeling shunned in the 1980s. “I was a closeted Catholic ... With Pope Francis, I was able to come out and say, ‘I am Catholic and I’m proud of it,’” he reflected, encapsulating the transformative experience that many pilgrims felt, according to CBS News and LA Times.

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV's stance on LGBTQ Catholics remains closely watched, particularly given past comments that raised concerns about his inclusivity. After meeting with LGBTQ advocacy leader James Martin, Leo affirmed his intention to continue Francis’ work toward acceptance. “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," Martin reported, indicating continuity in the Church’s approach moving forward, as discussed by CBS News and LA Times.

Del Rosario, Capozzi’s husband, reflects on the shifting climate, stating, “Pope Francis influenced me to return to church. Pope Leo only strengthened my faith,” representing the dual role played by both pontiffs in building a more inclusive Church for LGBTQ individuals, as shared by CBS News, SCMP, and LA Times.