Pope Francis Welcomes Transgender Catholics, Reversing Previous Bans

The pontiff's inclusive stance resonates with trans women in Torvaianica, Italy, but faces opposition within the broader Catholic Church.

Pope Francis has recently welcomed transgender Catholics, reversing previous bans on transgender people serving as godparents and suggesting that same-sex couples could receive church blessings.
This gesture has resonated strongly in Torvaianica, Italy, where a community of trans women has found help and hope through a relationship with the pontiff.
Many of these women are Latin American migrants and work as prostitutes. They now make monthly visits to Francis’ Wednesday general audiences and receive handouts of medicine, cash, and shampoo.
When COVID-19 struck, the Vatican bussed them into its health facility so they could be vaccinated ahead of most Italians.
Despite Pope Francis' inclusive stance, conservative Catholics and a majority of U.S. Catholics, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center analysis, believe that a person's gender is determined by the sex assigned at birth.