“Andate avanti” is what Pope Francis told a group of LGBTI+ Catholics, including a Maltese national, in a historic meeting in Rome this week.

The Holy Father gave his blessing to the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, the first meeting since the inception of the GNRC eight years ago, with several members in attendance including Maltese co-chair Christopher Vella.

The delegation presented a letter to the Pope, highlighting the experiences of LGBTIQ+ Catholics.

“It was electric. A precious moment,” Vella told Lovin Malta about meeting Pope Francis.

“The Pope was focused on what we were telling him. One of us asked if she could hug him and he accepted. I felt represented by Catholics worldwide. I felt like we were all hugging the Pope.”

Vella acknowledged Pope Francis’s commitment to decriminalising LGBT+ individuals globally and highlighted the need for continuous efforts in this direction.

“It was an opportunity to meet the Pope and thank him for his openness, and urge countries to remove homosexuality as a crime. The Pope told us to keep going forward, to not to be discouraged, in the Catholic orbit and in general,” Vella said.

The Pope’s response, “andate avanti” (move forward), reflected a sentiment deeply rooted in the Church’s evolving stance on inclusivity, especially considering the significant discussions surrounding the LGBT community in the ongoing synod.

The Vatican still holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman –  long opposing gay marriage. However, Pope Francis has been turning the conservative tides, supporting civil laws to extend legal benefits to same-sex couples.

Responding to the cardinals’ question about homosexual unions and blessings earlier this week, he said “pastoral charity” required patience and understanding, and priests could not become judges “who only deny, reject and exclude”.