Vatican Issues Paper Endorsing Baptism for Transgender People: Pope Pushes Inclusion, but Barriers Remain.

The article reports on the Vattican document approved by Pope Francis endorsing baptism of transgender people and participation as godparents in Catholic baptisms and witnesses at church weddings. Focus is given on the opposition of Pope Francis to same-sex marriage and the prohibition of people in same-sex relationships similar to marriage to become godparents. It discusses efforts of the Catholic Church to be more welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people.