内容摘要：for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at

for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at

During the synod, the pope met with a small delegation from the Maryland-based New Ways Ministry, which advocates on behalf of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the U.S.According to the group’s executive director, Francis DeBernardo, the pope urged them never to lose hope — a message DeBernardo repeated after being disappointed by the synod’s outcome.

“The Catholic LGBTQ+ community must take Pope Francis’ message to heart,” he said. “The report’s shortcomings are an invitation to speak anew about their joys, their sorrows, and their faith. … Now is not a time to despair.”Another disappointment came in May 2024,after Italian media quoted unnamed bishops saying he jokingly used the vulgar term “faggotness” while speaking in Italian during a meeting. He had used the term in reaffirming the Vatican’s ban on allowing gay men to enter seminaries and be ordained priests.

This week, DeBernardo looked back at Francis’ legacy mostly with appreciation, even while acknowledging disappointments.“Francis was not only the first pope to use the word ‘gay’ when speaking about LGBTQ+ people, he was the first pope to speak lovingly and tenderly to them,” DeBernardo wrote. “His kind words of welcome to this community, traditionally marginalized in the church, rang loudly around the globe.”

It became clear early in Francis’ papacy that he was going to articulate a gentler, more tolerant approach to LGBTQ+ people than any previous pope. The initial high-profile moment came in 2013 -– during the first airborne news conference of his pontificate — with his memorable

comment when he was asked about a purportedly gay priest., on the city’s west side, Mocidade is known for its trained drummers and legendary drum masters, like José Pereira da Silva, nicknamed “Mestre André.” Six decades ago, he created the “little stop,” a percussion break during the parade while revelers continue singing. The technique is used to highlight key parts of a samba school’s lyrics.

“I can say that the drum section really is an orchestra, it’s greater than an orchestra, because all the people there are musicians, people who studied. Not in a samba drum section; they’re drummers,” said Carlos Eduardo Oliveira, Mocidade’s drum master for 14 years, known as “Mestre Dudu.”Mestre Dudu signals to drum directors spread throughout the section, who relay commands to the drummers while making sure they are toggling seamlessly between the many grooves that make up a Carnival parade theme song.

“We understand each other. That’s our language. I have 16 directors in the middle of the section, in the core. I raise my hand, give a signal that will be repeated through them all. And the rhythmist understands,” Mestre Dudu said.Fans cheer during the Viradouro samba school parade, during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)