Trans women attend lunch with the Pope at the Vatican

The pontiff was welcomed at lunch by a trans woman. Her name was not revealed, but she handed him an image of Our Lady as soon as she arrived. Leo accepted the gift and then greeted all the guests.

Not all trans women were able to greet the pope directly. According to Reverend Andrea Conocchia, a priest who supports the trans community, everyone was close to him, even at separate tables. He also stated that the lunch atmosphere was very happy.

There were, however, those who felt uncomfortable due to the lack of direct proximity to the pontiff. For Marcella di Marco, a 52-year-old trans woman, it was a little disappointing not to be at the pope’s table. “Even so, we have the feeling that the Church will not close the door that has already been opened for us. He is different from Francis, but I believe he knows how difficult our lives are and that his heart is open to us,” he told the American newspaper.

Pope Leo promises to continue welcoming the LGBTQIAP+ community. Like Francisco, he believes that everyone deserves a space in the Church because they are “children of God”.