Father Martin: "Three days (historians) in Rome for LGBTQ Catholics"

Article by James Martin SJ*, published on Outreach (United States) on 9 September 2025. Freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata project

Not every day of the week spent in Rome were historical, but many yes.

I did not know what to expect when Michael O'loughlin, executive director of Outreach, had a wonderful idea: to promote a pilgrimage to Rome in conjunction with the one organized worldwide for LGBTQ Catholics during the jubilee year.

Outreach was already in contact with our "brother" group in Italy, La Tenda di Gionata, who had organized an international pilgrimage included in the semi-off-road list of Vatican Jubilee Pilgrimages.

I certainly did not expect to be able to live what I consider, in all respects, a historic week for the Catholic Church. It is difficult to summarize or even just describe what happened and what I have tried, but I want to do it by retracing some very intense few days.

Meeting with pope Leone

I have already written on Outreach of my hearing with Pope Leo XIV and I carry a deep gratitude in the heart, not only for the time he dedicated to us, but also for his message: the desire to continue the pastoral journey started by Pope Francis towards the LGBTQ Catholics, a style made of opening. It was a meeting of great consolation.

Almost as much it moved me to see how much this news meant for Many people. Many lGBTQ Catholics in rome told me they had breathed a sigh of relief: they wondered if the catholic church would continue the path traced By Francesco. With leone, who also cares synodality - that Is, listening first of all - It was possible to go on with hope.

A unique prayer vigil

Friday evening, La Tenda di Gionata organized one prayer vigil in the Church of the Jesus, the Mother Church of the Company of Jesus. None of us of the Outrech group knew well what to expect (even if we joked that, being in Italy, it would be long!), But we were full of waiting. So, apparently, it was also the rest of Rome.

What we lived was an effluvium of the holy Spirit: Alive, energetic, inspiring and above all joyful. The vigil intertwined biblical readings, prayers, testimonies, gestures and songs.

The church was packed: about 1,300 people occupied every space. The young people sat on the ground to give way to the parents of LGBTQ children. A chorus of pilgrims from all over the world already sang before the celebration began. Dozens of priests confessed the faithful.

In my intervention i said how touching it was to be among the tomb of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola, who invites us to "find God in all things and in all people", and the relic of the arm of St. Francis Saverio, who baptized tens of thousands of people then considered of little importance.

In the end we sang a hymn dear to the world days of youth: "Jesus Christ, you are my life". Looking at the great "Ihs" above the altar, I thought: "Yes, you are my life and gifts to all of us". Then a river of hugs, words, smiles and photos with old and new friends. I had never seen so much joy between LGBTQ Catholics.

A Historical mass

Many journalists asked us what to make those days special. For me, one of the answers is that Msgr. Francesco Savino, vice -president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, has celebrated a mass to the Jesus for LGBTQ Catholics during the Jubilee. There were not only LGBTQ people, but also families, friends and supporters. And no dispute.

During the Mass, Msgr. Savino said that Pope Leo XIV had personally encouraged him to celebrate with us: "He told me sweetly - said the bishop -: 'Go and celebrate the Mass organized by La Tenda di Gionata and from the other realities that take care of your brothers and sisters'".

In the homily, Msgr. Savino recalled the meaning of the Jubilee: "It was the year in which the lands were returned, the debts condemned, the liberated slaves. It was the time of the liberation of the oppressed and the return of dignity to those who had lost it. Brothers and sisters, I say it with emotion: it is time to restore dignity to everyone, especially to those who have been private!".

A thunderous applause filled the church. then One of the pilgrims confided to me: "I didn't know how much i needed That mass until i was there."

Meeting with LGBTQ Catholics from all over the world

Mike and the incredible team Of Outreach - Jack consolie And Alessandra Rose - organized a dialogue meeting at the Curia of the Jesuits of Rome, similar to what we had promoted during the Synod, on the lives and experiences of the LGBTQ Catholics.

For many it was the first time they met LGBTQ Catholics from many different countries. And one thing that always strikes us is the growing number of Catholic LGBTQ groups in the world: La Tenda di Gionata in Italy, Drachma in Malta, christhom in Spain, together with the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics. The US parties and New Ways Ministry were present.

After the meeting, people from Australia, Spain, Belgium, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Kenya, the United States and other countries have still shared stories and friendship until late evening.

The Holy Spirit

Every Sunday, in the creed, we profess: "I believe in the Holy Spirit". I believe with passion, not only because I am Catholic, but because the spiriting.

The spirit was present in our evening sharing meetings, after very intense days; He was there in the words of a cardinal back from a conclave, of a bishop engaged in the Vatican, of two Jesuits who spoke of Ignazian spirituality, and the journalist Gerard O'Connell, who shared his hopes for Leone's pontificate. The spirit pushed us under the scorching sun of the procession towards the Holy Door in San Pietro with 1,300 pilgrims.

I saw him in the faces of a dozen international pilgrims LGBTQ which, unexpectedly, participated in the Mass of the Pilgrims of Outreach celebrated by Father Sam Sawyer SJ at the oratory of San Francesco Saverio. When they asked if they could join, the answer was: "Of course you can!".

For me, the Holy Spirit was above all in joy. In the story of Zaccheo, told by Luca's Gospel, we read that, when Jesus announces that he would go to dinner at his house, Zaccheo welcomed him "full of joy" (Lk 19:1-10).

Joy is the response of those who felt excluded and, finally, experiences something new and beautiful: the welcome

*James Martin, SJ is Jesuit, founder of Outreach and editorial director of Media America. He is the author of numerous books of spirituality, including "Jesus. A pilgrimage" (2014) and "Building a bridge" (2017), in which he addresses the theme of the relationship between the Catholic Church and LGBTQ people.

Original text: James Martin, SJ: Six (Historic) days in Rome for LGBTQ Catholics