"Pope's Support Empowers Italy's Transgender Women to Embrace Their Humanity"

Transgender women in Italy expressed gratitude towards Pope Francis for making them feel more accepted and human. The pope invited a group of transgender individuals, along with other poor and homeless people, to have lunch with him on the Church's World Day of the poor. The Vatican recently issued a statement allowing transgender people to be godparents at Roman Catholic baptisms and participate in religious ceremonies. While some conservatives criticized the move, LGBT rights advocates welcomed it as a step towards inclusivity. The pope has been working to make the Church more welcoming to the LGBT community without altering Church teachings. The transgender community in Torvaianica, Italy, received support from a local pastor and the cardinal who runs the pope's charities during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to their meeting with the pope.