Pope Francis hosted a group of transgender women — many of whom are sex workers or migrants from Latin America — to a Vatican luncheon for the Catholic Church's "World Day of the Poor" last week.
The pontiff and the transgender women have formed a close relationship since the pope came to their aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they were unable to work.
Pope Francis prays in front of the icon of the Madonna del Popolo, venerated by Belarusians and Ukrainians, during the general audience in the Paul VI Hall.
It was propagated by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and signed by Pope Francis.
Pope Francis leads his traditional Wednesday General Audience at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, March 8, 2023.
The ruling's ambiguity is consistent with a variety of theological statements from the Vatican under Pope Francis and can make understanding how to implement the ruling difficult for the clergy.
Original article source: Pope Francis dines with transgender women for Vatican luncheon. »
