A lesbian couple in Italy has become the first to be allowed to adopt a child by a court.

La Repubblica on Friday reported that the five-year-old was born to one of the two women, and that the case is the first of an adoption by a same-sex step parent.

The Juvenile Court in Rome agreed to the adoption.

The birth mother of the daughter underwent fertility treatment abroad, and the girl was already living with the couple at their home in Rome.

Italy is home to a large Catholic population, and lags behind other European countries on LGBT rights, with gay couples having no legal recognition, rights to adopt, and limited protection from discrimination.