Pope Francis Meets LGBTQ Activists at Vatican

Pope Francis engaged in an 80-minute private meeting with LGBTQ activists at the Vatican, where he faced calls to reconsider the Catholic Church's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender individuals. Participants included a transgender man, Michael Sennett, who shared his positive experiences with hormone replacement therapy, and Dr. Cynthia Herrick, a medical professional specializing in gender-affirming care. Organized by New Ways Ministry, the meeting aimed to incorporate transgender perspectives into church policies, highlighting the need for dialogue and understanding. This meeting comes amid criticism of the Vatican's previous doctrinal rejection of gender-affirming care, which claimed it undermines human dignity. The pope reportedly listened empathetically and emphasized the importance of focusing on individual well-being. Additionally, discussions about LGBTQ issues have begun to surface more prominently during the ongoing Synod assembly, signaling a potential shift in church attitudes.