On 7 June 2026, members of CRISMHOM, the Christian LGBT+ community of Madrid, and a GNRC member, took part in the “Tejer redes” meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Movistar Arena, following an invitation from the Archdiocese of Madrid.
The meeting formed part of Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Spain and brought together representatives from the worlds of culture, art, economy, work and sport. According to the Holy See Press Office, around 15,000 people were present at the event.
Artículo 14 reported that members of CRISMHOM were present inside the venue and interviewed Ramón Legaspi Yrimia, president of the association, before the Pope’s address. Speaking about the meaning of this presence, he said that LGBT+ people are part of the Church and not a reality external to it. He also stated that CRISMHOM had not forced a door, but had been welcomed through an invitation. This invitation is an important moment of recognition and welcome for who they are and their ministry.
CRISMHOM describes its work as a space of welcome for LGBT+ believers, visibility for sexual and gender diversity in the Church, proclamation of the Gospel among LGBT+ people, and the building of bridges. Its activities include prayer, listening, community life, formation, and support for believers and their families.
At the “Tejer redes” meeting, Pope Leo XIV spoke about the relationship between the Church and society, placing attention on dialogue, dignity, language and the common good. He said that communication is never neutral and that words can wound or heal, divide or open horizons.
For GNRC, the presence of CRISMHOM at this meeting is connected to a path already visible in Madrid. In August 2025, CRISMHOM and Ichthys hosted the 5th Assembly of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, under the theme “Walking Together: Rainbow Challenges after the Synod.” The Assembly brought together groups and delegates from different regions for prayer, reflection, formation and exchange on the life of LGBT+ Catholics in the Church.
On that occasion, Cardinal José Cobo Cano, Archbishop of Madrid, sent a message to the participants. In his message, he spoke of a Church called to listen, to keep open doors, to walk with respect and compassion, and to promote dialogue, accompaniment and concrete inclusion for those who wish to walk in the Church.
The invitation to CRISMHOM for the papal meeting does not remove the differences that exist between countries, dioceses, parishes and pastoral practices. Many LGBT+ Catholics continue to face exclusion, discrimination or silence in their families, communities and societies. At the same time, the Madrid experience showed how local relationships, pastoral trust and shared work can create spaces of encounter within the Church. Those slip streams of encounters and ministry lead to bigger pools of encounter and public affirmation in our Church.
GNRC welcomes this moment with gratitude for CRISMHOM and Ichthys, for their service in Spain and within our global network. We recognise the pastoral closeness shown in Madrid through Cardinal Cobo’s message at the GNRC Assembly that has led to this invitation for CRISMHOM to be present at the meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
These cherished moments of encounter are the fruits of our continued faith and dialogue with our Church. They have helped in navigating a new era of openness and welcome that foster a space for active listening and shared pastoral accompaniment. And our chosen paths are affirmed and strengthened as we continue to engage with our communities, families, priests, religious, theologians and lay people who work with LGBT+ Catholics towards our shared baptismal identity and a mutual sense of belonging.