With the arrival of **Pope Leo XIV**, the organization **PETA** has asked him to condemn **bullfighting**, [a violent practice](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/el-72-de-los-mexicanos-segun-una-encuesta-se-oponen-a-las-corridas-de-toros-y-las-ven-como-maltrato-animal/) that continues in religious festivals.
After collecting **200,000 signatures from Catholics**, PETA projected that number on the facade of the **Apostolic Palace**, demanding that the Vatican **speak out against this bloody activity**.
_”Hundreds of thousands of Catholics have spoken out against bull torture. It is time for the Church to do the same,”_ said **Mimi Bekhechi**, vice president of [**PETA Europe**](https://www.peta.org.uk/).
## The brutality of bullfighting in religious festivals
Every year, thousands of **bulls are sacrificed** in bullfighting events dedicated to **Catholic saints**, subjected to a cruel process:
1. Spears thrust into the back and neck by picadors.
2. Bandarillas inserted, causing intense pain.
3. Matador pierces their lungs with a sword.
4. Ears and tail cut off as a trophy, while their body is dragged out of the ring.
## The Church’s historical stance on animal cruelty
**Pope Francis**, known for his defense of animals, wrote in [**Laudato Si’**](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/diez-anos-de-laudato-si-el-grito-de-la-tierra-resuena-en-el-jubileo-2025-del-papa-francisco/): _”Every act of cruelty towards any creature is contrary to human dignity”_.
Additionally, **Pope Pius V** banned bullfighting in the **16th century**, labeling it as **”cruel and vile spectacles of the devil”**.
However, some **priests still officiate religious ceremonies in bullrings** and minister to the bullfighters, an action that **PETA demands the Vatican condemn**.
PETA urges **Pope Leo XIV** to begin his papacy with a firm stance, following the principles of compassion and justice, aligning the **Church with respect for animals**.
