Andrea Conocchia, the priest walking with trans people

Text by Alessia Cesana, published on the Catholic website National Catholic Reporter (United States) on 29 October 2025. Freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata Project.

A meno di un’ora da Roma, nella piccola città di mare di Torvaianica, vive un sacerdote di mezza età che parla con voce pacata, vive con semplicità e sta scrivendo una pagina di storia.

Padre Andrea Conocchia, parroco della Parrocchia Beata Vergine Immacolata, considera il suo servizio pastorale verso le persone LGBTQ+ come parte integrante della propria vocazione.

In 2021 he was among the promoters of the administration of anti-Covid vaccines for transgender people at the Vatican and in 2022 he made several meetings between the transgender community and Pope Francis possible.

“I am the first minister in the history of the Catholic Church to have been able to make such an extraordinary meeting possible, and I am deeply grateful,” he told the National Catholic Reporter. «Pope Francis was the first pontiff willing to greet LGBTQ+ people, shake their hands and speak to them in public, without any shame».

Two months ago, father Conocchia participated in another historic event: a queer pilgrimage during the jubilee, which Took place on September 5 And 6.

Do you see this year's pilgrimage as a turning point for LGBTQ+ Catholics?

Conocchia: It was a very intense event, cheerful and moving at the same Time. seeing Almost 1,400 people praying, walking together and sharing their life journeys made me feel a profound sense of community. i truly Hope that we can move forward with courage, continuing on this path, embracing our unique qualities and differences, even the most unexpected ones.

Pope Leo XIV remained silent during and after the event. what Do you think?

It is only at the beginning of his pontificate and perhaps there are other emergencies. I remain faithful and full of hope. I listen, observe and pray a lot. I think that today we need a pope with a heart as big, big, as big as that of God. Perhaps for him the simple fact that the pilgrimage was celebrated is already a positive sign.

Let's not forget that the Mass was presided over by a very important figure, Bishop Francesco Savino, vice president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. It could be a good start. We'll see how things evolve. I desire continuity in diversity.

In your opinion, what are Pope Leo XIV's priorities?

He became pope at a very tense time, so I would say that the priority is to stop the wars. The situation in Europe is worrying. In my parish I often invite people to take Pope Leo's appeal to pray for peace seriously.

He also often speaks about migrants, and I believe he will want to create truly welcoming, supportive communities open to sharing. Furthermore, his experience in Latin America made him very sensitive towards the poor, always present in Scripture and in our daily lives. This desire of his to serve them is a great gift: it is human and profoundly evangelical.

Do you plan to bring transgender women from your community to meet pope leo again, As you did with pope Francis?

I'm praying about it. Let's see if it will be possible to think about it concretely and then really live it. I'm praying a lot because obviously more than one girl has already asked me.

There is a strong desire to meet, confide in, listen to, hug and be hugged. Many of them come from Peru, where transphobia is still very deep-rooted.

How did the opportunity arise for transgender women in your community to meet Pope Francis in 2022?

Conocchia: It all started with a simple request: they wanted to thank him in person. I took the matter seriously and asked Sister Geneviève Jeanningros, a friend of mine who was also a dear friend of the pontiff, to help her act as an intermediary. The pope not only met them, but from then on he always had words of encouragement for them. Many of them cried on his shoulder.

From April 27, 2022 to February 12, 2025, two days before his hospitalization, Pope Francis embraced LGBTQ+ believers every week.

He was a courageous, revolutionary and prophetic pastor, a true pastor of souls who did not fear the excluded and cared for everyone: queer people, the sick, the elderly, prisoners, the homeless, unmarried couples, divorced people.

He loved everyone with intensity: he said and practiced “to everyone, everyone, everyone”. The experience with Pope Francis was unique, without comparison, wonderful and surprising.

Are LGBTQ+ people still rejected or ignored in Catholic communities?

Absolutely yes. Despite the many steps forward, there is still much to do to fully integrate these people into our parishes and recognize their value. I think they are still discriminated against and, as far as trans people are concerned, I would say we are facing a real emergency.

Many trans girls in my community do sex work, some are addicted to substances, and they only confided this to me over time.

Some live in huts in the pine forest, without electricity or running water, threatened by wild boars. They are invisible, ignored. Yet, every time I visit them, they offer me a meal. They live like this to survive.

Someone told me that they are sinners and should not receive the sacraments. With great pain I must say that this hostility, in some ways, resembles persecution.

I don't understand why the focus should only be on identity, affection, orientation or sexuality, instead of recognizing the whole person.

What would you say to Christians who can't accept trans people?

Conocchia: Until five years ago I had no direct experience with queer people. The first trans girl knocked on my door during the pandemic.

He waited for everyone else to leave — sometimes there were as many as 500 people in line — and then, in a low voice, he said, “Will you help me?” I welcomed and treated her like a human being, without questions, judgments or prejudices. Today my community has 150 transgender women.

These meetings changed my life. Encounters are the greatest teachers of existence. We often don't know how to welcome them as we should. When we lack direct knowledge and the ability to listen, we risk not understanding that reality is much bigger than ideas.

These people taught me hospitality, sharing, simplicity, the ability to understand situations and show respect. In them I experienced unconditional, free and undeserved love.

*Alessia Cesana is an Italian journalist who writes about religious and social current affairs for the National Catholic Reporter and other international media.

Original text: "Q&A with Br. Andrea Conocchia, priest for Rome's transgender community”