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Global Network of Rainbow Catholics

“We are all one in Christ” (Gal 3:28)

A Jubilee Heard Around the World

Sep 9, 2025 | GNRC Blog, Jubilee, Uncategorized | 0 comments

We thought we were walking in Rome, but suddenly we were walking everywhere. About 1,400 of us, from thirty countries, with the rainbow cross lifted high, and the press caught it from every angle.

The Italian papers told of the Church of Gesù overflowing, of Bishop Savino’s words. “It is time to restore dignity to everyone… dignity is indelible”, and the ovation that followed. They lingered on the vigil, where Jesuits opened their doors and Fr. Fausto Focosi spoke of “tears of rejection” turning into “tears of hope.” For once, Catholic weeklies, national dailies, even television all spoke of us, not as a problem but as pilgrims.

Abroad, the photos of our procession spread fast. AP News sent out the image of long lines stepping into the basilica, and the words of Justin del Rosario: “It just felt epic, like I was able to touch the hand of God.” In Spain, El País called it “a historic first.” In the United States, The Washington Post wrote of a Church in transition, while CBS and NBC showed the rainbow cross advancing towards the Holy Door. From Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post to Brazil’s Folha de São Paulo, headlines repeated the same surprise: this time the Vatican calendar included us.

Catholic media around the world joined in. National Catholic Reporter spoke of a watershed, America Magazinereminded readers that we weren’t “sponsored” but still recognized, La Croix and Der Spiegel described it as Europe’s turn to watch closely. Even outlets usually hostile to us, like Fox News, had to print the words: LGBTQ+ pilgrims, Jubilee, St. Peter’s.

Each article chose its own detail, the rainbow cross, the Holy Door, the bishop’s homily, the standing ovation, but together they carried the same message: we were there, we were visible, and the Church did not turn us away.

We walked through a door in Rome, the world saw us do it, and wrote it down, and we were welcome as a normal part of the Church. The pilgrimage, organised by la Tenda di Gionata, with our support as partners, is a turning point.

Some of the outlets that spoke about us:

  • Reuters

  • Associated Press syndications (Dallas News, ABC, CBC, Guardian, etc.)

  • BBC (online and World Service radio)

  • The Guardian (UK)

  • The Times / Sunday Times (UK)

  • Le Monde (France)

  • La Croix (France, Catholic daily)

  • Der Spiegel (Germany)

  • Die Zeit (Germany)

  • Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

  • Corriere della Sera (Italy)

  • La Repubblica (Italy)

  • Famiglia Cristiana (Italy)

  • Avvenire (Italy)

  • ANSA (Italy, national agency)

  • Rai News (Italy)

  • Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy)

  • El Mundo (Spain)

  • El Diario (Spain)

  • ABC (Spain)

  • Clarín (Argentina)

  • Folha de São Paulo (Brazil)

  • O Globo (Brazil)

  • La Nación (Argentina)

  • El Comercio (Peru)

  • The Irish Times

  • RTÉ (Ireland)

  • The Tablet (UK Catholic weekly)

  • Crux (US Catholic news)

  • National Catholic Reporter (US)

  • Catholic News Agency (CNA)

  • Catholic Herald (UK)

  • Religion News Service (RNS, US)

  • UCA News (Asia Catholic network)

  • Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)

  • The Age (Australia)

  • South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)

  • Japan Times

  • Al Jazeera English

  • CNN (US)

  • NBC / CBS / ABC (US networks)

  • NPR (US radio)

  • Voice of America

  • Deutsche Welle (Germany)