Six unforgettable moments of the jubilee pilgrimage of LGBTQ people at the Holy Door

Article by JeFerson Batista*, published on Instituto Humanitas Unisinos-Ihu On-line (Brazil) On 10 september 2025. freely Translated By the volunteers of the Gionata Project

The Catholic Church has experienced a moment that will remain in the memory of the Jubilee of hope, with the pilgrimage of LGBTQIA people (lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex and asex), which on September 6 gathered over 1,200 faithful from all over the world. I was there, in Rome, and I still carry in the eyes and in the heart what I lived.

With me there was also a brazilian delegation of ten people, some Of The rede Nacional De Grupos Católicos lGBT+. our voice has been intertwined with that of many other pilgrims, telling the wealth of catholic communities scattered throughout Brazil.

Together we gave international breath to an event made possible by the Italian group La Tenda di Gionata, with the support of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC).

1 - A path that comes from afar

Getting to Rome for this pilgrimage was not an improvised gesture. It is the result of decades of paths, of communities that have opened spaces of prayer, welcome, resistance since the sixties.

Next to us there were historical figures such as the American Francis Debernardo, of the New Ways Ministry, and the Brazilian Lula Ramires, of the Grupo de Ação Pastoral from Diversidade and the Rede Nacional de Grupos Católicos Lgbtqia+. With them, new generations have brought the fresh face and the hope of those who want to continue this path.

2 - The sign of monsignor Francesco Savino

The pilgrimage was preceded by a mass in the Church of the Jesus, the heart of the Jesuits in Rome. Monsignor Francesco Savino, vice-president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, one of the most important in the world. His presence was perceived by everyone as a sign of recognition and legitimacy.

In the homily, Monsignor Francesco Savino recalled the original sense of the Jubilee, return time, forgiveness and liberation, when the oppressed regained dignity.

Then he updated: "It is time to restore dignity to everyone, especially to those who have been denied. We cannot stop at the theory of reception. We are called to love in a concrete way, even at the cost of suffering ourselves. (...) that it is so. Good path to all and to all".

3 - The procession and the Holy Door

After the mass we moved in procession towards the Basilica of San Pietro. In the head, the cross of the Jubilee; In the hands, Rosari and Arcobaleno flags; On the lips, prayer. And in the end, that moment that many dreamed: the passage of the Holy Door.

I saw lgbtqia couples+ enter hand in hand, trans people cross the threshold with a smile, aware that that door - symbol of reconciliation and grace - was also open for them.

4 - Sister Geneviève Jeanningros

Among the faces that most impressed me there is that of Sister Geneviève Jeanningros, 82 years old, friend of Pope Francis and always close to trans people in Rome. I walked next to her, while holding some trans women under his branch: a powerful image of a Catholic Church that really chooses to walk together.

Sister Geneviève Jeanningros had already become known to the world when she watched francesco's body day and Night during his funeral in rome. Reviewing Her now, next to trans people who had welcomed the pope in The basilica Of Santa Maria maggiore, brought to the surface that memory of tenderness and recognition.

5 - Father James Martin and the meeting with Pope Leone XIV

A few days before our procession, the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, had received Father James Martin, American Jesuit known for his pastoral commitment with LGBTQIA+people in private hearing.

After the meeting, Father James Martin wrote: "Dear friends, I am deeply grateful for my hearing with the Holy Father this morning in the Apostolic Palace. I heard that Pope Leone will continue the same opening and welcome that Francesco showed towards LGBTQIA+people. I found him joyful, serene, affectionate. It was nice to be with him!".

Father James Martin and monsignor Francesco Savino spoke to the pope of the pilgrimage, and they came out encouraged to continue this path of Inclusion. not surprisingly, Martin wanted to participate in all the jubilee activities Together with the outreach Group.

6 - The doors that Francesco has opened

The Jubilee made us touch a truth with his hand: the Catholic Church still struggles to fully relate to sexual and gender diversity, but Francesco has opened widers that can no longer be closed.

Pope Leo XIV, at least for now, has not taken explicit position, but everything suggests that he intends to continue on this path. If today we have been able to live this pilgrimage, it is because Francesco has opened the doors of the Catholic Church to his faithful LGBTQIA+. The event was announced under his pontificate and was carried out under Leo, as a sign of continuity.

Being in Rome, walking in those streets and crossing the Holy Door, made me understand that this Jubilee will remain a sign of faith and resistance. The door of the Basilica of San Pietro opened "everyone, all, all", as Francesco had asked. Now it remains to be seen if the doors of the Catholic churches scattered around the world will be able to open up in the same way.

* JeFerson Batista is a journalist, graduated in Social Sciences, with a master's degree and learning in social anthropology at the Brazilian University of Campinas (Unicamp).

Original text: 6 pontos sobre a peregrinação Lgbtqia+ no Vatican