Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Vatican Lunch Seats Trans Women Away From Pope Leo’s Table, Raising Questions Over Outreach

Organizers attribute the head table to parishioners from an earlier Mass.

Overview

  • Forty-eight trans women joined about 1,300 guests for the Jubilee Lunch for the Poor on November 16 in Paul VI Hall.
  • Unlike in 2023 and 2024 under Pope Francis, none of the transgender attendees were seated at the pope’s head table this year.
  • Event organizer Cardinal Konrad Krajewski denied an intentional snub, saying the top seats went to parishioners from an earlier eucharist and the trans guests arrived later.
  • Some attendees reported disappointment over limited access to Pope Leo, with activist Alessia Nobile saying she only managed to hand him a letter.
  • Local priest Rev. Andrea Conocchia said the group was seated very near the pope and described the gathering as fraternal and joyful.