Pope Francis invites 120 transgender people to lunch at the Vatican, showing his openness and compassion towards them. The event was part of a larger initiative to celebrate the World Day of the Poor and to foster a friendship within the church.
Pope Francis shows solidarity with transgender people by inviting them to Vatican lunch
Pope Francis has shown his openness and compassion towards transgender people by inviting 120 of them to lunch at the Vatican on Sunday, November 19, 2023. The invitation was part of a larger initiative to host over 900 guests from various marginalized groups, such as the homeless, refugees, immigrants, and people with disabilities, to celebrate the World Day of the Poor.
The transgender guests were mostly from Italy and Spain, where they have been receiving pastoral care and support from local Catholic parishes and organizations. Some of them had also met the pope before, either at the Vatican or during his visits to their countries. Among them was Juan Carlos Cruz, a Chilean survivor of clerical sexual abuse and a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, who is openly gay and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ inclusion in the church.
The pope greeted the guests personally and thanked them for their presence. He then joined them for a festive meal in the Paul VI Audience Hall, where he delivered a speech that emphasized the dignity and value of every human being, regardless of their identity, background, or situation. He also urged the church to be more welcoming and attentive to the needs of the poor and the marginalized, especially in times of crisis and uncertainty.
The lunch was prepared by volunteers from various Catholic charities and associations, such as Caritas, the Community of Sant'Egidio, and the Missionaries of Charity. The menu included lasagna, chicken with mushrooms, potatoes, salad, fruit, and tiramisu. The guests also received gifts from the pope, such as rosaries, books, and toiletries.
The event was widely praised by LGBTQ activists and allies, who saw it as a sign of hope and progress for the church's relationship with transgender people. Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, a Maryland-based group that advocates for LGBTQ acceptance in the church, called it "a major step for trans inclusion" and "big and good news". He also noted that the pope had previously expressed his interest in making the church more welcoming to LGBTQ people, even though some doctrines and practices remain unchanged.
However, the event also drew criticism from some conservative Catholics, who accused the pope of condoning or promoting gender ideology and sin. They argued that the pope should not have invited transgender people to the Vatican, but rather should have called them to repentance and conversion. They also claimed that the pope was contradicting the teachings of the church and the Bible, which affirm the immutability and complementarity of male and female sexes.
The pope has not responded directly to the critics, but has repeatedly stated that he follows the example of Jesus, who reached out to the marginalized and the sinners with love and mercy. He has also said that he does not judge people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, but rather on their actions and intentions. He has also encouraged dialogue and respect among different perspectives and experiences within the church.
Conclusion:
Pope Francis has made a historic gesture of inclusion and compassion by inviting 120 transgender people to lunch at the Vatican, along with over 900 other guests from various marginalized groups. The event, which took place on the World Day of the Poor, was meant to symbolize a friendship within the church and to affirm the dignity and value of every human being. The pope's initiative was welcomed by LGBTQ activists and allies, who saw it as a sign of hope and progress for the church's relationship with transgender people. However, it also faced criticism from some conservative Catholics, who accused the pope of contradicting the church's teachings and promoting gender ideology and sin.
