A group of nuns in India have taken on an unlikely cause. A church in Kerala is supporting the local transgender community by offering a support group at the Sisters of the Congregation of Mother Carmel. Last month, they used their building to create a school for trans-persons to continue their educations.

“The school will cater to those transgender people who had dropped out from schools in their early age due to various reasons,” said trans activist Vijaya Raja Mallika.

The Catholic nuns say that by offering this support it is in line with Pope Francis’ mission of “pastoral care to the LGBT community.”

According to PinkNews: “Figures suggest there are 500,000 transgender people in India, though it could well be much higher.”