LGBTQ pilgrimage brings controversy to Vatican basilica
September 08, 2025
More than 1,000 people marched through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s basilica on September 6, in what organizers described as an LGBTQ Jubilee pilgrimage.
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The participants sparked outrage among some Catholics, who took note of the placards and T-shirts carrying slogans (in at least one case, crudely obscene) critical of Church teaching on sexuality, and the irreverent behavior of activists.
Earlier the pilgrims had gathered at the Gesu, the Jesuit church in Rome, for a Mass celebrated by Bishop Francesco Savino, the vice-president of the Italian bishops’ conference. in his homily the bishop cited the historic tradition of the Jubilee as “the time to free the oppressed,” and said that it is now time for the Church to “put living truth before dead truth.” He assured the congregation that Pope Leo had approved the LGBTQ pilgrimage “with great tenderness and great sweetness.” Pope Leo himself did not acknowledge the group in his own greetings to various other pilgrimages taking place the same weekend.
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Posted by: jalsardl5053 -
Sep. 09, 2025 6:07 PM ET USA
The LGBTQ lobbyists have done a political job on Pope Leo. First, Martin announces "approval"; the Savino announces an "approval" wrapped in a homily the whole thing beating Martin's claims. This puts the Pope on notice. Anxiously awaiting his response.
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Posted by: feedback -
Sep. 09, 2025 9:29 AM ET USA
Bp. Savino, the VP of the Italian Bishops’ Conference ... said [at the Mass] that it is now time for the Church to “put living truth before dead truth.” A prominent Catholic Bishop who criticizes the Church before same-sex attracted crowd for an alleged 'error' of preaching 'dead truth' instead of the 'living truth' has to explain exactly what he means. The Church proclaims Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life [John 14:6], who is the same yesterday and today and forever [Heb.13:8].
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Posted by: jxsteinke1207 -
Sep. 08, 2025 3:11 PM ET USA
I have been waiting for this. And the cross draped in a rainbow flag. Tell me how they get away with it. It will be very interesting to see what Pope Leo‘s response to this will be shove it under the table?
