Roma is preparing to show an image never seen e To write an unpublished page of the history of the Jubilee. Together with the songs and prayers of the group of Pellegrini who will cross the Holy Door of the Basilica of San Pietro, This time a rainbow will enter. For the first time, The LGBTQ+ community will find official space in the heart of Christianityin a gesture that, albeit symbolic, in the “eternal city”, assumes deep values and full of hope.
Surprise to the Jubilee: the LGBTQ+ community accepted
The pilgrimage, scheduled for Saturday 6 Septemberprovides for a prayer vigil in the Church of the Jesus on September 5, followed the next day by a celebration and from the walk to the Holy Door. After the symbolic and solemn passage, the day will end with A joyful and convivial community momentthe “Pilgrims’ rest”, where pilgrims will be able to share food, stories and reflections.
Behind the scenes of the “before”
An absolute novelty, obtained not without obstacles. After the first appearance in the official program, in fact, The event was disappeared, leaving doubts and perplexities. But the Dicastery for evangelization had clarified that it was not a definitive cancellation, but a technical suspension pending practical details (number of participants, logistical methods, etc.). THEwith a decisive thrust came from the Church of the Jesus And by the Jesuit Father Pino Pivashepherd active in the Pastoral Lgbtqia+, to which Pope Francis also belongs. And the green light has finally arrived from ecclesial representatives such as the Bishop Francesco Savino and the Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi.
On September 6, in the heart of the Jubilee, over a thousand Lgbtq+faithful, together with families and pastoral workers, will cross the San Pietro Santa Porta (Getty)
A spiritual and identity journey
The title of the initiative, “Church: home for everyone”, seems to indicate a strong desire: that the experience of faith is truly inclusive. Over a thousand pilgrims, Christians LGBTQ+, families, friends and pastoral workers, will come from all over the world To cross the Porta della Misericordia with its own stories, fragility and hopes. The route includes significant moments: a collective vigil, a jubilee mass with the Vice -President of the CEI, the entry into the heart of the Basilica of San Pietro following songs and prayers and, finally, Sunday angelus together with the Pope in St. Peter’s Squarethe following Sunday.
A turning point in religious language
It is an unprecedented event: just remember in the early 2000s, the strong reserves shown by the Vatican for the World Gay Pride in Rome. Twenty -five years later, something must be moved, if the Jubilee He decided to officially accommodate a LGBTQ+ pilgrimage on the most sacred site of the Catholic Church. And without thinking that the cultural battle is won, that of the Jubilee is however a discreet and profound invitation: that of sharing the sacred gesture of the Disk Porta, incarnating the hope of a community not to be excluded.