Rome on Saturday saw a turnout of hundreds of thousands who gathered in San Giovanni square to demonstrate against gay unions and the teaching of gender theories in schools.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is currently trying to push a civil union bill through parliament.

Participants held banners reading ‘The family will save the world’ and ‘Let’s defend our children’, according to an AFP report.

The report said organizers estimate one million people were taking part.

It also quoted an AFP photographer as saying that the square, which has an estimated capacity to accommodate 300,000 people, was overflowing with the young, elderly and parents with toddlers.

Crowds were also seen over spilling onto nearby streets.

Italy is the only Western European country that does not allow same-sex marriages or civil unions.

The Lower House of Italy’s parliament on10 June passed a motion on gay civil unions for the first time.

The Italian senate is expected to examine the bill as PM Renzi has called for a vote in the coming weeks, with the aim of legislation being enacted before the end of July.

Renzi and Justice Minister Andrea Orlando have both long advocated for laws to recognize civil unions.

After Catholic-majority Ireland legalized gay marriage by referendum in May, Renzi said: ‘Civil unions cannot be delayed any longer.’