Over 1,000 LGBTQ Catholics, joined by families and supporters, marched through St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, in a historic Jubilee pilgrimage.

Listed on the Vatican’s official Holy Year calendar as "Pilgrimage of the Tenda di Gionata Association (Jonathan’s Tent) and other associations," the event marked the first time an LGBTQ pilgrimage appeared in the Vatican’s Jubilee program.

Pilgrims from the United States, Italy, and Brazil, including groups like DignityUSA, Outreach, and a transgender delegation from Rome, participated.

Justin del Rosario, carrying a crucifix with his male partner, described the moment to the Associated Press.

"It just felt epic, like I was able to touch the hand of God," he said.

Caterina, a health care worker from Padua, told Politico, “This is a super-significant moment, the first LGBTQ+ jubilee in history, you can imagine how important that is for both LGBTQ+ Christians and the Church."

Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy, known for his 2013 remark, "Who am I to judge?" and his decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, set the stage for this LGBTQ+ pilgrimage.

Pope Leo XIV, months into his papacy, met privately with Jesuit Fr. James Martin, founder of Outreach.

"The message I received is that he wants to continue the legacy of Pope Francis, which is one of openness and listening," Martin told Politico.

Agnese Palmucci, Vatican spokeswoman, told Reuters, "They are not sponsored activities. Once it is ascertained that there is space, we insert the pilgrimage into the general calendar."

Catholic commentator Michael J. Matt blasted the church's acceptance of the queer grandstanding, stating on X, "F– the Rules inside Saint Peter’s. The LGBT group La Tenda di Gionata makes their entrance into St. Peter’s Basilica today... this is the New Church. Behold the legacy of Pope Francis."

Italian senator Simone Pillon dismissed the event’s significance, telling POLITICO, "The Jubilee is a moment of forgiveness, so I don’t have any problem with the event; we are all sinners. What is frankly annoying is that anyone would use the Jubilee to promote an ideology which contains nothing of Christianity."

As the pilgrims departed, their rainbow flags and silver parasols faded into Rome’s twilight.

The Church stands at a crossroads — will Pope Leo XIV carry forward Francis’ openness or heed the calls of tradition? Only time will tell, but the echoes of this pilgrimage will linger.