More than 1,200 Catholics have assembled in Rome this weekend for a ‘semi-official’ LGBTQ+ Jubilee. The pilgrimage is not explicitly endorsed by the Vatican, nor will participants get a dedicated papal audience. However, on 1 September, Jesuit priest Fr. James Martin, founder of LGBTQ+ Catholic ministry Outreach, met privately with Pope Leo XIV and said the new Pope "wants to continue Pope Francis' message of inclusion and welcome, and above all, openness to LGBTQ Catholics". Martin has travelled to Rome with 40 pilgrims, and speaking to the National Catholic Reporter, said: “I think it’s pretty historic. I can’t imagine this happening before Pope Francis or before Pope Leo.” Martin also posted a video of a LGBTQ prayer service at Chiesa del Gesù in Rome on social media, and said you could “feel the joy”. #lgbtqia #Catholic #PopeLeo #religion #faith #pilgrimage