One of the frequent justifications for transphobia tends to be that it is unholy to change the way God made you, that the Bible forbids it. This might be a hard excuse to fall back upon, now that Pope Francis hosted a group of trans women for lunch at the Paul VI Hall, on World Day of the Poor. 1000 other underprivileged guests were invited as well.
@apnews For this group of trans women in Italy, Pope Francis and his message of inclusivity are a welcome change. And thanks to the local parish priest, these women now make monthly visits to Francis’ Wednesday general audiences, where they are given VIP seats. #transwomen #Vatican #PopeFrancis
♬ original sound – The Associated Press – The Associated Press
Who Are These Women?
During the COVID pandemic, a local priest encouraged this group of trans women to seek the help of the Church, as local funds weren’t enough. The Church gladly provided them with food, vaccines, and other assistance. Many were unable to receive the vaccine under Italy’s laws, due to being Latin immigrants. The Pope himself met the women personally to provide them comfort and support. Now, they attend his monthly general audience, in VIP seating. To this day, they still receive medicine, shampoo, and cash whenever they need it.
Claudia Vittoria Salas, one of the women, is a tailor and house cleaner, who previously had to engage in sex work to put her 3 godchildren, back home in Argentina, through school. She, along with others who are or were sex workers were apprehensive about writing to the Pope, initially. The local priest helped them compose the letters that he said were “bathed in tears”, because they told him, “Father, I’m ashamed, I can’t tell the pope what I have done, how I have lived.”
“Being a godparent is a big responsibility, it’s taking the place of the mother or father, it’s not a game. You have to choose the right people who will be responsible and capable, when the parents aren’t around, to send the kids to school and provide them with food and clothes.” – Claudia Vittoria Salas
The pope’s kindness has been healing for many of them, like Carla Segovia, who was baptised at birth but left after coming out as trans. His actions have helped her feel better about returning to her faith, one day.
The Lunch
This isn’t the first time Pope Francis has proclaimed his support for the LGBTQ+ community. A document released by the Vatican earlier last month stated that transgender people and people in same-sex relationships can be baptised, serve as witnesses at weddings, and be godparents, as well. This is a significant change, as it is in direct opposition to the statement they had previously put out in 2015 that disallowed transgender people from becoming godparents.
It seems that this lunch was to help hammer in his message – to befriend and be kind to the disenfranchised, regardless of their gender or their job.
“‘When I say “everyone, everyone, everyone,” it’s the people. The church receives people, everyone, and does not ask what you are. Then, within the church, everyone grows and matures in their Christian belonging. It’s true that today it’s a bit fashionable to talk about this. The church receives everyone.’” – Pope Francis, speaking about gay people
On Monday, the Vatican released another document that allows priests to bless same-sex couples under certain circumstances. While the Catholic Church continues to maintain steadfast in its stance that marriage is between a man and woman, this new declaration seems to be a step towards a more benevolent future.
The crowd feasted on cannelloni pasta filled with spinach and ricotta, meatballs in a tomato-basil sauce and cauliflower puree, with tiramisu and petit fours for dessert.
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