The Vatican is preparing to host a series of events for the LGBTQ community in Rome next week, including a Mass, prayer vigils and a procession to St. Peter’s Basilica. But the nature of these events raises a troubling question: is Pope Leo allowing apostasy to enter the Vatican for the whole world to see?
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On Sept. 5, the international meeting “Listening to the Experiences of LGBTQ Catholics” will take place inside the Vatican, organized by Outreach, a U.S. organization founded by Jesuit Father James Martin. According to the announcement, “LGBTQ Catholics from various countries will share their experiences.”
A Rainbow Crucifix in the Church
Later that evening, a prayer vigil will be held in Rome’s Church of the Gesù with LGBTQ Christians, their parents, and other participants. The Vatican noted that “during the vigil, a rainbow cross will be presented, which was brought to Rome by a group of LGBTQ pilgrims and their parents.”
The use of a rainbow crucifix, a clear distortion of the sacred image of Christ’s sacrifice, is nothing less than heresy. To fuse the cross of Jesus with the symbol of pride that affirms lifestyles the Bible calls sinful (Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26–27) is to present before the world a false gospel.
Affirmation or Apostasy?
On Sept. 6, Bishop Francesco Savino, Vice President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, will preside over a Mass at the same church, followed by a Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica with more than 1,000 participants. Finally, pilgrims will join the Pope for the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
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The previous pope, Francis, made several statements indicating openness to the LGBTQ community. Asked whether there was room in the Church for transgender, non-binary or LGBT people, he responded: “Every person is a child of God, everyone. God rejects no one—and clergy in the Catholic Church should not do so either.” He added, “I have no right to expel anyone from the Church. The Church must not close its doors to anyone.”
Loving those who are trapped in sin is one thing. Jesus Himself showed compassion to sinners, but He always called them to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). What we are witnessing in Rome looks less like an invitation to repentance and more like an affirmation of lifestyles that God has declared abominable.
A Pattern in Mainline Denominations
What is taking place in the Vatican is not happening in isolation. Many mainline Protestant denominations, such as the United Methodist Church, embraced this same road years ago, affirming rather than lovingly correcting sin. Today, those denominations have largely abandoned biblical authority, replacing the gospel with cultural accommodation. This is the fruit of apostasy, the great falling away Scripture foretells (2 Thess. 2:3).
Should Pope Leo choose to affirm these lifestyles, he risks leading millions into deception. The acceptance of a rainbow cross at the heart of the Vatican illustrates how far the visible church can drift when it places cultural approval above biblical truth.
The End-Times Falling Away
The apostle Paul warned that in the last days people would not endure sound doctrine, but would gather teachers to affirm their desires (2 Tim. 4:3). The events planned at the Vatican bear striking resemblance to this falling away, pointing to a church that prefers applause from the world over obedience to God.
This moment is not just about the Catholic Church, it is a warning to the global body of Christ. What happens in Rome will reverberate throughout the world, shaping how many perceive Christianity itself.
A Call to Prayer
Christians must pray fervently in this hour. Pray for those who have yielded to their fleshly desires, that they would have a radical encounter with the Holy Spirit, repent of their sin and live a life pleasing to the Lord. Pray for courage among church leaders to stand firm on Scripture, even when it is unpopular. And pray that the true gospel of Jesus Christ, one of love, forgiveness and transformation, will shine through the darkness of compromise and confusion.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
