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An Italian association for LGBTQ+ Christians, along with their parents and clergy, has been registered to participate in a pilgrimage through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican during the Jubilee 2025. This group, "La Tenda di Gionata" or "Jonathan’s Tent," is among many listed on the Vatican's official jubilee website.
The website, www.iubilaeum2025.va, provides information on whether a pilgrimage is officially sponsored by the Vatican as part of the Jubilee. For La Tenda di Gionata, their reservation for September 6 was initially listed as a simple “pilgrimage” rather than “sponsored.” However, it was removed from the calendar on December 13 after an invitation was extended to other associations supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
Agnese Palmucci, communications director for the Jubilee, informed Catholic News Service that communication with La Tenda di Gionata is ongoing. The pilgrimage will be reinstated on the calendar once updated details about participant numbers and program plans are provided.
Crossing through the Holy Door marks a significant moment in a pilgrim’s journey during a Holy Year. Pope Francis emphasized this in his proclamation of the Holy Year: “Now the time has come for a new Jubilee, when once more the Holy Door will be flung open to invite everyone to an intense experience of the love of God that awakens in hearts the sure hope of salvation in Christ.”
The event involving La Tenda di Gionata is not part of 35 special jubilees organized by the Vatican for specific groups such as communicators, priests, bishops, choirs, catechists, adolescents, young adults, families and even digital missionaries and Catholic influencers who will gather in Rome on July 28-29.
Pope Francis has consistently shown support for members of the LGBTQ+ community throughout his papacy. In April this year, with his approval, a declaration titled “Dignitas Infinita” or “Infinite Dignity” was published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith. It condemned discrimination against LGBTQ+ people but also criticized "gender theory" and warned against sex-change interventions.
