Surprise Mass for LGBTQ+ Catholics in Milan
On Friday night, Milan’s Archbishop Mario Delpini conducted a surprise Mass for predominantly LGBTQ+ Catholics. This event took place at San Carlo al Lazaretto, situated in Porta Venezia, an area known for its acceptance of the gay community, coinciding with Pride Month.
Delpini, who oversees the largest archdiocese in Italy, highlighted in a brief homily on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that “the Lord loves everyone.” While many of his sermons can be found online, this particular one is notably absent.
Reports suggest that around 50 individuals attended the Mass. Once the initial shock faded, attendees expressed appreciation for the archbishop’s presence, marking the occasion as a significant moment for young people, parents, and couples, according to local news sources.
A small Catholic church in Milan has been a gathering site for LGBTQ+ Catholics for several years, regularly hosting masses led by a priest. This recent Mass sparked a wave of criticism from conservative Catholic outlets.
One conservative site claimed that “rainbow extremists may know which closet to open to find a pile of skeletons inside,” referring to various scandals involving clergy. They suggested that while Delpini is generally viewed as moderate, he might have unintentionally stirred controversy under pressure from LGBT groups.
“Clearly, this doesn’t justify a Pride Mass,” they noted.
Additionally, an Instagram photo purportedly showed a participant receiving Holy Communion while wearing a T-shirt featuring a rainbow-colored figure resembling Jesus, along with the phrase “Oh Men.” The site interpreted this phrase as a direct nod to homosexuality.
It’s been reported that participants echoed “O Men” during Holy Communion in front of the archbishop, which was labeled as “a true mockery of the Lord” by Catholic media.
Delpini, who recently ordained a new priest, has spoken about envisioning a “church full of light, like the stained glass windows of a cathedral” and described a space that’s both traditional and modern, where everyone can reflect the light of God.
This incident follows another controversy within the archdiocese, where right-wing politicians criticized the San Giovanni Bosco Chapel for allowing Muslim youth to have their own time for prayer during summer programs. Delpini stood up for this decision, stating that “Controversy is always an excuse for something else.” He emphasized the importance of recognizing non-Christian children, ensuring they are there for prayer, not just recreation.
He framed the decision as an extension of interreligious dialogue, saying the backlash “doesn’t affect me” and dismissing those who advise him on how to be a priest. “Some people want to teach me how to become a bishop,” he added.
In March 2026, Delpini also sent out a message to Muslims to commemorate the end of Ramadan.
The Archdiocese of Milan, the largest in Italy, is considered one of the most populous dioceses in Europe. Traditionally, the archbishop holds the cardinal title, although Delpini, appointed by Pope Francis in 2017, has yet to receive that distinction.
Notable former archbishops of Milan include St. Charles Borromeo and Giovanni Battista Montini, later known as Pope Paul VI, who was canonized by Pope Francis.
