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During Pope Francis’ visit to Piazza di Spagna in Rome on December 8 to commemorate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a group of four activists tried to approach his motorcade in protest against bullfighting. According to Il Sole 24 Ore, the activists were four young women: one Spanish, two German and one English. They managed to jump over the barriers on Via Tomacelli as the papal procession headed towards the square.
The activists displayed signs condemning bullfighting, with slogans such as “stop blessing bullfights” and “the bullfight is a sin,” as reported by Il Messaggero. Their aim was to urge Pope Francis to intervene against the practice of bullfighting in Spain and to stop the blessing of such events by the Church, according to Il Giornale.
Security forces immediately intervened to prevent the activists from reaching the Pope’s vehicle. ANSA reported that one of the activists tried to run towards one of the papal convoy’s cars but was stopped by security, causing a brief commotion among the police officers and bodyguards. All four activists were stopped and the column continued on its course without further incident.
After being arrested, the activists were taken to the Trevi District Police office for identification. Il Giornale stated that the young women had been interviewed and identified by authorities. Their position is being examined by the researchers, as noted by Il Sole 24 Ore.
A person who leaves the valla and the poppy… The police correlate. El Papa is bien. Pasó en el trayecto del Papa hacia piazza Spagna para el homenaje a la Virgen María en el día de la Inmaculada este 8 de diciembre in Roma pic.twitter.com/ErDyQ91uV9
— Fr. Jorge Enrique Mújica, LC (@web_pastor) December 8, 2024
The incident caused some concern among those present, but was quickly resolved thanks to the quick action of security personnel. In security circles, it was emphasized that the safety system’s response “worked,” according to Il Sole 24 Ore. The Pope is doing well after the incident, reports ‘Proto Thema’.
PETA UK confirmed the event on social media. “BREAKING: Four PETA supporters have just been arrested after throwing themselves in front of Pope Francis’ vehicle while begging His Holiness to cut the Church’s ties with bullfighting,” the organization tweeted, as quoted by Zougla.
In addition, Fr. Jorge Enrique Mújica, LC, shared details of the incident on Twitter: “A person jumped over the barrier and threw himself on the papamobile… The police ran to the car. The Pope is doing well. It happened during the papal meeting. route to Piazza Spagna for the tribute to the Virgin Mary on the Day of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 in Rome,” as noted by LIFO.
This is not the first time Pope Francis has been targeted by anti-bullfighting protesters. Il Messaggero reported that during the celebration of Second Vespers in the Roman Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura, two demonstrators disrupted the service by storming the nave while wearing T-shirts that read “Stop blessing corridas.” The officers of the Vatican Gendarmerie stopped the two women, removed them with some difficulty from the basilica and then handed them over to the Italian police.
In August, during the general audience in Aula Paolo VI, two PETA demonstrators raised signs reading “Killing the bulls is a sin” and were removed by the Swiss Guard and taken to the gendarmerie, as reported by Il Sole 24 Ore. Similar incidents occurred. on September 26, during Pope Francis’ visit to Luxembourg, when a PETA protester threw himself in front of the Popemobile and was immediately restrained by officers.
Despite these disruptions, Pope Francis continued his duties without interruption. During prayers at the foot of the Madonna statue in Piazza di Spagna, the Pope made a comment about the ongoing construction work in the city. “In the city there are construction sites everywhere: this – you know – does not cause minor inconveniences, and yet it is a sign that Rome is alive, that it is renewing itself, that it is trying to adapt to needs, to be more hospitable and hospitable. more functional,” he said, according to ANSA.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq
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