Two animal rights activists from the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) interrupted Pope Francis’ general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, protesting against bullfighting.
Two women briefly held up banners reading “bullfighting is a sin” whilst sporting t-shirts saying “Stop blessing corridas".
They were swiftly escorted from the Vatican's Paul VI Hall by security.
PETA is urging the Pope to denounce bullfighting and sever the Catholic Church's ties to the practice, calling it a "despicable blood sport".
The organisation claims tens of thousands of bulls are killed globally in bullfighting festivals, often in dedication to Catholic saints.
PETA highlighted that in his encyclical Laudato si', Pope Francis stated that "any act of cruelty to any creature is 'contrary to human dignity'", and noted that as early as the 16th century, Pope St. Pius V banned bullfights for being 'cruel' and 'far removed from Christian piety and charity'.
In January, a similar protest was staged by PETA members during a prayer service attended by the Pope at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
The Vatican has yet to comment on the protest.
