For this group of trans women, the pope and his message of inclusivity are a welcome change

By NICOLE WINFIELD and TRISHA THOMAS
Associated Press

TORVAIANICA, Italy (AP) — Pope Francis is hosting a special lunch for more than 1,000 poor people to mark the Catholic Church’s World Day of the Poor. Among his guests Sunday are a community of trans women from a seaside town south of Rome who have forged a remarkable friendship with the pontiff. They have welcomed in particular his recent message of inclusivity to transgender people. The Vatican recently said trans people can be baptized and serve as godparents and witnesses at weddings. For the trans community of Torvaianica, it’s just the latest gesture of inclusion from a pope who has made reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community a hallmark of his papacy.