Activists Arrested as They Beg Pope Francis to Denounce Bullfighting

On 8^th December 2024, four animal rights activists from PETA UK were arrested after throwing themselves in front of Pope Francis’ vehicle as he arrived at the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Spanish Square in Rome, Italy. They were dressed in T-shirts bearing the message to “Stop Blessing Corridas” and holding signs saying, “Bullfighting is a Sin”. 

This is another protest part of PETA’s campaign urging the Pope to cut the Catholic Church’s ties with bullfighting and finally condemn the despicable blood sport.

Mimi Bekhechi, PETA UK Vice President, said, “The Church’s continued endorsement of the violent stabbing, slaughter, and mutilation of bulls is shameful. PETA is calling on Pope Francis to denounce these disgusting spectacles and make it clear that no good person can support bullfighting.”

PETA has previously called on Pope Francis to speak out against bullfighting through letters signed by priests, protests, disruptions, ad campaigns, and more. On 26^th September 2024, PETA activists disrupted Pope Francis’ convoy during a visit to Luxembourg by throwing themselves in front of it. On 7^th August, other PETA activists disrupted Pope Francis during a traditional General Audience at the Vatican by going over a barrier wearing T-shirts reading, “Stop Blessing Corridas.” In February they did the same at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.

In the 16th century, Pope Pius V (now an official saint) banned bullfighting, which he described as “cruel and base spectacles of the devil and not of man” and contrary to “Christian piety and charity.” The ban forbids priests and other clergy from attending bullfights and bars the events from taking place on religious holidays. However, despite these types of papal edicts that cannot be reversed, the Church is failing to enforce the ban and Catholic priests often officiate at religious ceremonies in bullrings, and minister to bullfighters in arena chapels.

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