VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — It’s safe to say Pope Francis meant a lot to people, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, leads an organization of Catholics dedicated to integrating the LGBTQ+ community into the church.
She said she's saddened by the pope’s death and hopes the path toward inclusion continues.
“He also did things like allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, he said that transgender people could be baptized in our church, could serve as godparents, and he just really created some openness and visibility for our community that had never existed before,” Duddy-Burke said.
In Deltona, resident Robert Trombetta is reflecting on the life that Pope Francis lived.
“His famous quote, 'Who am I to judge?' Resonated with the gay community and gay people,” Trombetta said.
Trombetta is dedicated to his faith, but there were moments where he questioned everything — carrying the guilt of being Catholic and gay.
“There was a time in my life where I was really mad at God, because of what I was and I probably lost my faith a little bit,” Trombetta said. “I wouldn’t say I’m a good Catholic, I’d say I’m a surviving Catholic.”
Trombetta has been to the Vatican and seen Saint John Paul II deliver mass and views him as influential.
With Pope Francis, he views him as impactful.
Looking forward, Trombetta hopes the new pope will continue what Pope Francis started.
“I’m not looking for the church to accept gay marriage as a sacrament — I don’t need that — what I don’t need is the judgment, the condemnation,” Trombetta said.
Because at the end of the day, Trombetta said he is going to keep living his life with the person that he loves.
“We have to treat every human being with the utmost respect,” Trombetta said.
Pope Francis currently lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26.
