In an underreported meeting that many hope signals a shift in the Catholic Church’s approach to gender diversity, Pope Francis met privately with a group of transgender and intersex Catholics. This marks the second such meeting in less than a year, reflecting the Pope’s continued willingness to engage with marginalized communities within the Church.
The nearly 90-minute audience was arranged by Sister Jeannine Gramick, co-founder of New Ways Ministry, an organization that has supported LGBTQIA Catholics since 1977. The gathering included 11 individuals: members of the transgender community, parents of transgender children, and medical professionals specializing in gender-affirming care. They shared personal stories of pain, solitude, and ultimately, redemption.
Stories of Suffering and Redemption
Michael Sennett, a transgender man and theology student from Boston, was among those who spoke. “Hormones and surgeries are not just physical transformations. They are holy affirmations of who I am in God’s eyes,” he told the Pope. “I have not interfered with God’s plan for creation. I have simply become more fully the person God created me to be.”
Sennett recounted his struggles with marginalization within the Catholic community and how affirming clergy provided solace. “I really wanted to share with Pope Francis about the joy that I have being a transgender Catholic person,” he later told reporters. “The joy that I get from hormone replacement therapy and the surgeries that I’ve had that make me feel comfortable in my body.”
Another poignant testimony came from Nicole Santamaria, who was born intersex in El Salvador. After enduring physical abuse from her family, who forced her into surgeries to conform to a male identity, she found recognition and worth through the compassion of a Jesuit priest. “I work with the trans community because, although it is not my entire experience, I can understand the suffering of expressing your identity and of being excluded, violated, and even exterminated,” Santamaria shared.
The Dever family—Deacon Raymond Dever, his wife Laurie, and their transgender daughter—spoke candidly about their decade-long journey. “We have learned that there is no connection between gender theory and transgender individuals,” the Devers told the Pope. “People who struggle with gender dysphoria as defined by the medical profession—something that clearly is not a personal choice or the result of some ideology.”
Deacon Dever expressed deep concern over the Church’s stance. “I was struck by the stunning lack of compassion within so much of the Church for transgender people,” he said. “We urge the Church to rethink the way it relates to these issues.”
Dr. Cynthia Herrick, co-director of a gender medicine clinic in St. Louis, Missouri, provided a medical perspective. “Gender-affirming surgeries have a profound impact on people’s well-being,” she noted. “Numerous patients have told me this care saved their lives.”
Pope Francis’s Receptive Response
Throughout the meeting, Pope Francis listened intently, displaying visible emotions in response to the stories shared. “He had very pained looks when people described moments of suffering,” observed Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry. “He would clutch his pectoral cross, and his face looked visibly disturbed.”
Conversely, the Pope appeared “very pleased” upon hearing stories of redemption and the positive impact of gender transition. “He kept repeating that we—the Church—have to think of the individual person,” DeBernardo added.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Sister Gramick urged the Pope to reconsider the Vatican’s stance on gender diversity. “We expressed that as the Church makes policies in this area, it’s very important to speak with transgender individuals,” she said. “The Pope was very receptive. He listened empathetically and shared that he always wants to focus on the person, the well-being of the person.”
Context of the Meeting
This meeting comes six months after the Vatican’s doctrinal department issued “Dignitas Infinita” (Infinite Dignity), a document rejecting gender-affirming surgery and condemning gender theory as “a concession to the age-old temptation to make oneself God.” The declaration further stated that any attempt to obscure the differences between men and women should be rejected, asserting that “the body serves as the living context in which the interiority of the soul unfolds and manifests itself.”
The Vatican’s stance drew sharp criticism from LGBTQIA groups, who pointed out that transgender individuals were not consulted before the document’s release. “We urged Pope Francis to move past the Church’s negative approach to gender-diverse people,” read a statement from New Ways Ministry. “And to encourage Church leaders to listen more attentively to the lives and faith of LGBTQ+ people.”
While the Pope has not officially altered Church doctrine on these matters, his personal approach has been notably more inclusive. He has previously stated that transgender individuals may be baptized and serve as godparents, and he has allowed priests to bless same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis. “I think it’s Pope Francis’s style to model behavior rather than make statements,” DeBernardo reflected.
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A Private Yet Powerful Encounter
The meeting was held privately at the Pope’s residence and was not listed on the Vatican’s official agenda. Despite its low profile, participants believe the encounter holds significant weight. “The meeting means that the Church is coming along; the Church is joining the modern era,” Sister Gramick stated.
Participants left feeling hopeful that their voices were heard at the highest levels of the Church. “He was very pastoral, very interested in my story,” Sennett said of the Pope. “It was just a very welcoming atmosphere, and I felt that he wanted to hear everything I had to say.”
Dr. Herrick echoed this sentiment. “The Pope was very receptive,” she affirmed. “He listened very empathetically. He also shared that he always wants to focus on the person, the well-being of the person.”
Implications for Transgender Catholics
For many transgender Catholics and their families, this meeting represents a beacon of hope in an often challenging spiritual journey. The Catholic Church’s historical stance on gender and sexuality has made it difficult for transgender individuals to find acceptance within their faith communities.
“I have not interfered with God’s plan for creation,” Sennett emphasized. “I have simply become more fully the person God created me to be.” His words resonate with many who struggle to reconcile their gender identity with their faith.
The Dever family’s experience highlights the need for compassion and understanding within the Church. “Our daughter attempted suicide as she underwent her difficult transition,” Deacon Dever revealed. “We urge the Church to rethink the way it relates to these issues.”
While the Vatican has yet to officially change its policies regarding gender-affirming care, the meeting signals a potential shift in tone. “The message really is that we need to listen to the experiences of transgender people,” Sister Gramick said. “We hope that by sharing these stories, the Church will become more compassionate and understanding.”
The participants believe that personal encounters like this can pave the way for greater acceptance. “As a transgender Catholic, I wanted to give him another perspective to consider when the Church is talking about transgender people and gender,” Sennett said.
Looking Ahead
The meeting leaves many questions unanswered but offers a glimmer of hope for those seeking affirmation within the Catholic Church. “We expressed that as the Church makes policies in this area, it’s very important to speak with transgender individuals,” Dr. Herrick reiterated.
For transgender Catholics, their families, and allies, the encounter is a step toward a more inclusive and empathetic Church. It underscores the importance of dialogue and personal connection in bridging gaps of understanding.
As the Church grapples with contemporary issues of gender and identity, the voices of those directly affected may increasingly shape its approach. “He kept repeating that we have to think of the individual person,” DeBernardo recalled of the Pope’s words.
In a world where many transgender individuals face marginalization and misunderstanding, the Pope’s willingness to listen offers a powerful message. It suggests a future where faith and identity need not be at odds—a future where everyone can find a place within the Church’s embrace.
The Bottom Line
The meeting between Pope Francis and transgender and intersex Catholics is a landmark moment that could herald a new era of inclusivity within the Catholic Church. While doctrinal changes may not be immediate, the personal engagement of the Pope provides hope for many who have long felt excluded.
For transgender Catholics and their loved ones, the path forward remains complex but perhaps a little brighter. As the Church continues to evolve, the voices and experiences of transgender individuals may help shape a more compassionate and understanding faith community.
