I remember the first time I saw Pope Francis on television. His simple white cassock, the gentle wave, and the warmth in his eyes felt like a new dawn for the Catholic Church. As someone who has never set foot in Rome or marveled at the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica, my connection to the Pope has always been through the screen and the pages of news articles. Despite this distance, I have been an ardent follower of his journey since his ascension, always hopeful for the winds of change he might bring. The recent controversy surrounding Pope Francis' homophobic remarks was deeply unsettling. As an advocate and ally of the LGBTQ+ community, I have seen the pain and struggle some of my friends, colleagues, and family have endured. It felt like a personal blow. The Pope, a figure I admired, had faltered. It was a moment of disillusionment, but it was also a moment that demanded attention and reflection. The remarks were not just words; they were echoes of centuries of discriminat