The Vatican is organizing its first-ever pilgrimage for LGBTQ+ Christians, their relatives and allies during its 2025 celebration of Jubilee, a Holy Year that only occurs every 50 years. The historic event is just the latest in numerous recent pro-LGBTQ+ overtures made by Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church.The pilgrimage which is entitled Church: Home for All, LGBT+ Christians and Other Existential Frontiers and which will take place on September 6, 2025 will include a visit St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City (the Catholic Churchs city-state located in Rome, Italy), a prayer vigil for members of the LGBT+ community and their familiesheld in the citys Il Ges church (built in 1584), and a celebratory mass overseen by Bishop Francesco Savino, Vice-President of the Italian Bishops Conference. Related The Pope joins Saudi Arabia, Iran & Egypt in derailing climate talks over trans rights Theyre objecting to language that could convey support for trans women. The pilgrimage will be led by Tenda di Gionata, an Italian gay rights group that helps society and the churches to open up to the understanding and reception of homosexual people, The Catholic Herald reported. At its previous events, the group has depicted Jesus Christ as a transgender person, wearing a rainbow halo or standing in front of a rainbow flag. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The idea for the pilgrimage reportedly came from Bolognese Jesuit, Pino Piva, who has cared for LGBTQ+ people over the past few years, according to the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero. Pope Francis reportedly approved of the pilgrimage despite internal resistance from Holy Year organizers. Though the event is not yet listed in the Vaticans official calendar of events, it reportedly has the support of Holy Year preparations coordinator Archbishop Rino Fisichellaand Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, president of the Italian Bishops Conference.The pilgrimage is just the latest in numerous pro-LGBTQ+ overtures made by Pope Francis and the Church.Francis hascriticized his own churchs leadersfor becomingtoo focused on divisive issueslike homosexuality. He told U.S. bishops tolay off the anti-gay attacksandcompared homophobes to Nazis. He also suggested thathe could support same-sex unions, said thatcelibate gay priests should be allowed to serve, and evenmet with other LGBTQ+ activists, reportedlytelling one man that God made him gayanddonating money to a group of transgender sex workers. He has criticized anti-LGBTQ+ conservatives, excommunicated an anti-LGBTQ+ priest, met with trans activists and denounced Ugandas Kill the Gays law. In January,he calledlaws criminalizing homosexuality unjust and insisted that God loves all his children just as they are. He also called on Catholic bishops to welcome LGBTQ+ people into the Church. In 2020,he also saidthat nations should recognize civil unions for same-sex couples because they have a right to a family.However, Pope Francis has also said that the Catholic Churchcant bless same-sex relationshipsbecause theyre a sin, that gay priests are being fashionable andshould leave the ministry,that bishopsshould reject priesthood applicants suspected of being gay, thatgay couples cant be families, that U.S. clerkshave a right to deny marriage certificates to same-sex couples, thatparents should send their gay children to therapy, that trans people willannihilate the concept of nature,and thattrans youth shouldnt try and access gender-affirming medical care. He has also used anti-gay slurs during meetings (though he apologized for that).Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.