As organiser Tiziano Fani Braga reported to the newspaper "La Repubblica" on Wednesday, hostilities and attacks began as soon as the pilgrimage was announced.
It was noticeable that these came almost exclusively from anonymous internet profiles: "We show our faces, they hide," said Braga.
He expressly does not see the pilgrimage as a political demonstration: "We want to avoid confrontations and arguments. We are not there to hold a pride parade or to show off our pride."
The aim of the pilgrimage is to pray together. At the same time, however, they also want to send out a political signal: LGBTQ Christians are not "second-class believers", said Braga.
Hope for Pope Leo
With regard to the change in the papacy, the organiser sees both opportunities and risks. Pope Francis has opened up new spaces for the pastoral care of LGBTQ Christians.
He now expects his successor Leo to continue this development: "My hope is that Leo will create order and say: these openings must be recorded in black and white."
This would require changes to the catechism or the introduction of a separate LGBTQ pastoral ministry.
At the beginning of September, the Christian association "La Tenda di Gionata" ("The Tent of Jonathan") is organising an LGBTQ+ pilgrimage for the Holy Year together with other associations.
In addition to passing through the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica, the organisers are planning an evening prayer service and a mass in the Jesuit church Il Gesù in Rome, led by Francesco Savino, Vice President of the Italian Bishops' Conference.
The programme also includes participation in the Angelus prayer with Pope Leo XIV.
In addition, the US Jesuit and LGBTQ+ activist James Martin is offering events with his "Outreach" network.