Faith
Pilgrimage and once closed doors
On Saturday, September 6th, 2025, some 1,400 LGBTQ pilgrims from 22 countries processed through the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica to officially participate in the Church’s quarter-centennial festival of renewal and forgiveness.
Pope Leo XIV was not present, but specifically approved that Bishop Francesco Savino celebrate Jubilee with the LGBTQ participants.
In his homily, he [ Bishop Savino] noted that in the Bible, a Jubilee “was the time to free the oppressed and restore dignity to those who had been denied it.” Bishop Savino paused briefly to add: “Brothers and sisters, I say this with emotion. It is time to restore dignity to everyone, especially those who have been denied it.”1
Exclusion and judgement are easy. Love is hard. People who have been left out because of who they are walking through newly opened doors. Sounds like heaven.
L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics Have Jubilee With Pope’s Blessing, if Not His Presence, New York Times, September 2, 2205.