Activists storm the VATICAN as they demand action from Pope Francis
The activists stormed the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall
X/Esa Ennelin
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
The protesters wore t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "stop blessing corridas"
Esa Ennelin
A reader at the General Audience looked stunned before directing a glare in the direction of the protesters
YouTube/Vatican News
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.
The group urged Francis to "finally use his position and influence to defend bulls and condemn the despicable blood sport", and followed up the footage of the protest with a video explaining their cause.
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Pope Francis watched on as the demonstration unfolded
Reuters
According to Peta, "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".
The group'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."
The Paul VI Audience Hall, where the protest took place
Dipartimento della Protezione Civile/Creative CommonsThe group drew attention to bull fighting festivals around the world in which "tormentors on horses" drive lances and spears into bulls before matadors kill the animals with swords and knives.
Peta also highlighted how Catholic priests often officiate at religious ceremonies in bullrings and minister to bullfighters in arena chapels, while some attack bulls in arenas while dressed in religious garb.
And it also pointed out historical Catholic condemnations of the practice - including an outright ban by Pope Pius V, who labelled bull fighting "cruel and base spectacles of the devil and not of man".
GB News has approached the Vatican for comment.