FROM LifeSiteNews:
Pope Francis has approved an LGBT-focused pilgrimage as part of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, according to Italian media reports. Scheduled for September 6, this event will feature a prayer vigil at the historic Church of the Gesù in Rome, followed by a symbolic passage through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The pilgrimage, titled “Church, Home for All, LGBT+ Christians and Other Existential Frontiers,” is organized by Tenda di Gionata, a prominent Italian LGBT group. The initiative aims to foster inclusion within the Church and provide spiritual support to LGBT individuals and their families. The plan reportedly originated with Jesuit priest Father Pino Piva and received backing from prominent Church figures, including Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Jesuit Superior General Father Arturo Sosa.
Despite its approval, the event has encountered internal resistance within the Vatican. The Dicastery for Evangelization, responsible for Jubilee arrangements, has yet to publicly address the controversy. An official noted that inclusion in the Jubilee calendar does not necessarily indicate Vatican endorsement.
Critics of the pilgrimage reference longstanding Catholic teachings, which emphasise that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered” and that pastoral care should affirm Church doctrine. The Catechism and past documents, such as the 1986 instruction from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, stress the importance of guiding homosexual individuals toward chastity and spiritual growth.
Tenda di Gionata’s past initiatives have sparked debate, as the group has used iconography blending traditional Christian imagery with LGBT symbols. Supporters argue that the event aligns with Pope Francis’ broader outreach to marginalised communities, while opponents fear it could signal a departure from doctrinal integrity.
This development highlights ongoing tensions within the Church over the balance between pastoral outreach and adherence to doctrine. As the Jubilee approaches, the event promises to be a focal point in debates about the Church’s stance on LGBT issues and its mission of inclusivity.