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The 30th Rome LGBTQ+ Pride parade was a vibrant celebration in the Italian capital, with tens of thousands of people clad in brightly colored outfits marching to support gay rights and express solidarity. The parade also included humor aimed at Pope Francis, following his recent controversial comments.
Pope Francis had to apologize for using a derogatory term while discussing the Vatican’s stance on gay men in seminaries. Signs and banners at the parade playfully referenced his remarks, with one rider on a motorcycle poking fun at “high levels of faggotry.” Another participant, dressed as the Pope, jokingly criticized the parade for having “too much faggotry.”
The parade also touched on political issues, with Italy’s opposition leader, Elly Schlein, showing support for LGBTQ+ rights in contrast to the conservative views of Premier Giorgia Meloni. Signs at the parade made light of Meloni’s stance on marriage equality and parental rights for same-sex couples.
The event also mocked Gen. Roberto Vannacci, a parliament member with the League party, who had faced criticism for offensive remarks. The parade highlighted the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community in response to such controversies.