In a notable development at the Vatican, five men identifying as transgender women have been invited to participate in the Jubilee of the Poor event, including a dinner with Pope Leo XIV this Sunday in Rome. The invitation stems from concerns raised by transgender activist Alessia Nobile, who fears the Catholic Church may reverse its progressive stance on LGBTQ issues following the death of Pope Francis. Nobile, who met Francis multiple times starting in June 2022 and received a personal letter addressing him as "dear sister," requested an audience to discuss these worries. The event, hosting hundreds of poor, homeless, and marginalized individuals, underscores ongoing outreach efforts. However, reports highlight that Francis never publicly challenged transgender ideology's conflict with Church teachings on nature and gender. This gathering raises questions about the future direction of papal policies on inclusion and doctrine.
According to Italian media outlets, one transgender activist known as “Alessia Nobile” said he and other trans catholics will join Pope Leo XIV for dinner at the Jubilee of the Poor event this coming Sunday in Rome
During Transgender Awareness Week and as part of Jubilee, Pope Leo will meet with a group of trans women including trans activist Alesia Nobile, close friends of Pope Francis, in an invitee special luncheon this Sunday.
— Pope Crave (@ClubConcrave) November 14, 2025
(via @chrisjollyhale) pic.twitter.com/f6gYz4GGFe
LifeSiteNews reports: The dinner with the Pope will feature hundreds of poor, homeless, and “marginalized” guests. Nobile said that he and four other men who identify as women were invited to the lunch after he had requested an audience with the Pope over his concerns that the Church might “turn back on LGBTQ rights” after the death of Pope Francis.
Nobile has described Francis as a friend and mentor. He first met the deceased pope in June 2022 during an audience with five other self-identifying “transgender women.” Francis met with Nobile multiple times and invited him to his public general audiences. The late pope also wrote him a personal letter in which he addressed the male transgender activist as “dear sister.”
By all available public accounts, Francis did not tell Nobile that a man living as though he were a woman is contrary to nature and that the Church rejects transgender ideology.