Italian Catholic leaders host landmark summit on welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics in Rome

Italian Catholic clergy gathered in Rome for a historic national conference focused on how to welcome LGBTQ+ Christians more fully into church life, signalling a significant shift in tone and practice within one of Europe’s most influential Catholic communities.

Held on 4 September in the central auditorium of the General Curia of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit order), the event brought together around 200 clergy, including about a dozen bishops. The summit followed last year’s first official LGBTQ+ pilgrimage to Rome received by the Vatican, and many participants framed the meeting as a continuation of that opening, Q News reports.

Bishops and clergy explore inclusive pastoral practice

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, sent a personal message of support to the gathering, dedicated to “pastoral ministry with LGBTQ people.” Attendees examined how parishes and dioceses can provide a more welcoming spiritual home for LGBTQ+ Catholics, with an emphasis on accompaniment, listening and recognition of dignity.

Bishops from Bari, Cremona, Chiavari and Florence spoke about implementing good pastoral practices for integrating LGBTQ+ people into church communities. They highlighted the need to “offer full dignity to all believers through listening and a family-like approach to welcoming,” presenting inclusive ministry as an integral part of Catholic pastoral care.

Catholic lay organisations share experiences of inclusion

National leaders from several of Italy’s major Catholic lay associations took part, including the Italian Catholic Scouts, the Italian Catholic University Association, Christian Life Community and Italian Catholic Action.

These groups described their internal journeys from discriminatory attitudes to the active inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in service and leadership roles. Speakers stressed that creating spaces where LGBTQ+ members can participate openly is essential to the credibility of Christian witness and to the health of their communities.

A “turning point” in Italy’s pastoral approach

Father Giuseppe Piva, who leads the pastoral team that organised the conference, characterised the gathering as a “turning point” for the Italian Catholic Church’s engagement with LGBTQ+ issues. He said the event reflected a renewed commitment to listening, attentiveness and pastoral care shaped by real-life experiences.

“Problems remain, as do the suffering of so many people,” Father Piva said, according to Avvenire. “But we have begun a journey. We don’t yet know where it will lead, but [it] is certainly on the side of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, who from now on will no longer have to hide in order to discover what the Lord is asking of them.”

Many participants described the day as a starting point for broader formation of clergy and lay leaders, and for more visible support of LGBTQ+ Catholics within parishes, associations and diocesan structures.

Evolving context under recent papacies

The conference takes place within a wider evolution in the Catholic Church’s approach to LGBTQ+ questions. A historic shift began under Pope Francis, whose emphasis on mercy, accompaniment and listening reshaped global conversations about pastoral care for LGBTQ+ people. That trajectory has continued under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV.

Official Catholic teaching still maintains that sexual activity belongs within heterosexual marriage. Even within this doctrinal framework, senior church figures in Italy have been advocating for more humane and respectful approaches to LGBTQ+ Catholics. As recently as last year, a leading Italian bishop stated that expecting people with same-sex attraction to live lives of celibacy was wrong, calling for more realistic and compassionate guidance.

For many LGBTQ+ believers and their allies, the Rome summit represents a concrete attempt to align pastoral practice with those more inclusive messages and to create spaces in which LGBTQ+ Catholics can participate openly in the life of the Church.

Why this matters for the workplace

For a business audience, this development in Italy’s Catholic community carries several important implications:

• Cultural context for employees: Many LGBTQ+ employees draw on faith as a source of identity and resilience. Visible moves by major religious institutions toward inclusion can positively affect mental health, confidence and a sense of belonging at work.
• Inclusive leadership expectations: As large institutions model more inclusive language and engagement, employees increasingly expect the same from employers. Companies that align internal policies with values of dignity and respect are better placed to attract and retain diverse talent.
• ESG and stakeholder relations: Faith-based organisations remain key stakeholders in many markets. Their evolving stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion connects with ESG, social impact and diversity strategies, especially for businesses with operations or clients in majority-Catholic regions.
• Support for intersectional identities: Employees sit at the intersection of religion, sexuality, gender identity, culture and nationality. Workplace policies and employee resource groups that recognise and support these intersections help create more resilient and productive teams.

For organisations that want to turn these insights into practical action, connection to specialised networks is crucial. myGwork brings together LGBTQ+ professionals, inclusive employers and allies worldwide, helping companies build policies, culture and talent strategies that reflect real people’s lives.

Readers seeking to strengthen LGBTQ+ inclusion in their business and support LGBTQ+ professionals of faith and non-faith alike can sign up to myGwork to access this global community and its resources.

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