Animal rights activists from campaign group Peta have stormed the Vatican City in a protest “urging the Pope to condemn bull fighting”.
Two protesters from the group wearing t-shirts condemning the practice as a sin were seen jumping into the aisle in the micro-state’s Paul VI Audience hall as the Pope watched on.
The demonstrating duo were pursued by one of the Vatican’s Swiss Guard and numerous security personnel as clamours erupted from the congregation.
Peta uploaded footage of the incident online, which showed the two activists undertaking their demonstration – before being ushered swiftly away from the venue.
Breaking: PETA activists arrested for storming the vatican, urging the pope to condemn bullfighting 👀 pic.twitter.com/8eSSQS4OrG
— PETA UK (@PETAUK) August 7, 2024
Pope Francis watched on as the demonstration unfolded
Reuters
A reader at the General Audience looked stunned before directing a glare in the direction of the protesters
YouTube/Vatican News
The Paul VI Audience Hall, where the protest took place
Dipartimento della Protezione Civile/Creative Commons
The protest erupted fewer than two minutes into Pope Francis’s General Audience – which was being broadcast live online.
In the Vatican’s live stream, a reader up on stage was left stunned by the furore before the demonstrators were escorted out of the hall.
As the activists shouted up to the Pope from the aisle, the reader – after directing a glare their way – continued with her address.
Peta followed up the footage of the protest with a video explaining their cause – according to the group, “tens of thousands of bulls are tormented and slaughtered in bullfighting festivals around the world, many of which are held in honour of Catholic saints”.
MORE ON POPE FRANCIS AND THE VATICAN:
Peta’s Vice President for the UK and Europe, Mimi Bekhechi, issued an urgent call to action in the wake of the demonstration.
She said: “The Bible asks us to show mercy to all of God’s creations, yet bulls are being tormented, stabbed, and slaughtered in front of jeering crowds by assailants blessed by Catholic priests.
“Peta is calling on His Holiness to condemn the vile bullfighting industry and cut the Church’s ties with these bloody, merciless spectacles.”
More to follow…