Mayor Pro Tempore John Erickson presented Pope Francis a West Hollywood rainbow city flag. (photo courtesy of John Erickson)

West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tempore John Erickson had a unique opportunity to represent the city in a big way over the Thanksgiving holiday. While others were counting their blessings, Erickson was saying “thank you” to Pope Francis in the Holy City.

“The city of West Hollywood co-sponsored a program, a part of Scholas, which is the nonprofit arm of Pope Francis, but specifically the Pelota de Travel program, where it fosters civic and community engagement through sports,” Erickson said. “We co-sponsored that event and initiative as a city, as well as the county of Los Angeles, the city of Los Angeles and LAUSD to utilize public spaces to bring schools and communities together from all walks of life to really be engaged with issues that are going on in their communities. It’s an amazing program that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has put together because it allows young people to come together to work on big issues impacting our world.”

Erickson said it was the most recent time he could remember that a representative of West Hollywood met with “one of the holiest figures in the entire world.” He said it was essential for leaders like himself to meet with the Pope.

“West Hollywood is home to a lot of faith-based institutions, specifically Catholic churches. I myself am a member of St. Victor’s church,” Erickson said. “And it’s important for us to then go and be present in these spaces – LGBTQ leaders to be present in these spaces – and then to have a private audience with the Holy Father.”

Erickson met with the Pope on two separate occasions over his stay in Italy, and he made a point of advocating for the needs of LGBTQ+ people around the world.

“I represent a large LGBTQ community, and it’s really important for me that everyone knows that they’re valued and children of God,” Erickson said he told the pope. “The Pope’s answer to me was that he doesn’t believe in labels, and that we should not be labeling people. [And] that his No. 1 rule …  for all people of the faith and all over, is to love unconditionally.”

Pope Francis has been an advocate for allowing everyone into the church during his tenure, although his stance has had some qualifications, including calling sexual relations outside of marriage a sin.

As part of the delegation’s private audience, which also included other representatives from other cities, Erickson was able to present the Pope with a gift.

“I brought him a rainbow city flag as well as a proclamation we made for the Scholas program and presented it to him,” he said. “His eyes lit up the moment he saw the city’s flag. A rainbow is a sign of peace in Rome.”

Erickson added that he was most proud he got to be an “out and proud” gay vice mayor and represent his city in that way.

Pope Francis welcomed Mayor Pro Tempore John Erickson, who presented the pontiff with a gift representing the city of West Hollywood. (photo courtesy of John Erickson)