Photos don’t do the beauty of this place any justice. Being here in the mecca of the faith I grew up in for the first time, the Catholic Church, is an experience I won’t forget. As a man who has struggled deeply with the contradictions of his faith and sexual orientation, I feel the need to share this: the Church was given to us by God to be a mother to us, to guide us, to love us. The Church, in its humanity, has not always been perfect. Recent Popes shed light on the shortcomings of the Church, and have publicly apologized. Pope John Paul II, my confirmation Saint was one of them. At the end of the day, so I believe in God? Wholeheartedly, yes. Do I believe he would deny a soul salvation because that person was not a Catholic? I do not. What I believe is that as long as you live in love, live with goodness in your heart, and you treat people as Christ would have treated them, salvation is yours. I, personally, choose to walk with the faith I grew up in, the Catholic faith. Stories of Christ’s mother, Notre Dame, and the Saints, and the history of our Church, continue to pull me in. I love my Catholic faith. And I am steadfast enough in that faith to ignore those that crucify me for my sexual orientation. I am not defined by my sexual orientation, but by the goodness that exists in my heart and actions. My love for my Church wasn’t always deep. I’ve had, and continue to have, my struggles. But one thing I know is definite- I am loved by God just as I am, and I am grateful to him for having been enlightened with this realization recently. If you’re struggling with your faith, look within. Go visit the fascinating places of the faith you walk in. If you’re Catholic, come to Rome. #katoliku #catholic #romeitaly #roma #saintpetersbasilica #popejohnpaulii #tombofsaintpeter #lapieta #pieta #soulfulliving ⛪️⛲️🇻🇦🇮🇹🤍🙏🏼 (at St. Peter's Basilica) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYHYh4Oqg3_4ZCPbAkv2--4j4QwszamZM0XHcE0/?utm_medium=tumblr