In a special episode of "The Vatican Briefing," Vatican experts Joshua McElwee and Christopher White have an exclusive conversation with Loretto Sr. Jeannine Gramick about her historic meeting with Pope Francis. Gramick, a longtime advocate for LGBTQ Catholics, has long operated at the margins of the global Catholic Church. But on Oct. 17, she was welcomed into the Vatican for an historic 50-minute meeting with Francis. The pope, says Gramick, "has a warmth and a wanting to embrace everyone, not just LGBT people but those who have been shunned by society and the church." Francis, she says, "is trying to get us to move forward."

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Relevant links:

Joshua McElwee's initial coverage of Pope Francis' meeting with Loretto Sr. Jeannine Gramick: Pope Francis meets Jeannine Gramick, US sister known for LGBTQ ministry 

Christopher White's coverage of the 2023 Synod of Bishops' debates on gay Catholics: LGBTQ Catholics subject of emotional debate at synod, participants say

Christopher White's coverage of German Cardinal Gerhard Muller's interview with EWTN: German Cardinal Müller defies pope's request for confidentiality at synod with EWTN interview

Joshua McElwee and Christopher White's coverage of Pope Francis' letter suggesting the Catholic Church might bless same-sex couples: Pope signals openness to blessings for gay couples, study of women's ordination