Blessing of animals

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Men ride mules in Via della Conciliazione as they take part in the feast of San Antonio Abate (St. Anthony the Abbot), the patron saint and protector of animals, in Piazza Pio XII in front of the Vatican, in Rome on Jan. 17, 2025. Italian farmers and member of the Coldiretti farmers association gathered in the Vatican where families and animals received a benediction from Cardinal Mauro Gambetti.

Italian farmers come to the Vatican for blessing of animals

Jan 17, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Italian farmers brought their animals to the Vatican on Friday to be blessed by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti on the feast... Read more

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti greets animals and offers his blessing in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.

PHOTOS: Animals blessed in St. Peter’s Square for feast of St. Anthony Abbot

Jan 17, 2024

By Courtney Mares

On the feast of the co-patron saint of animals, the Vatican welcomed animals large and small to be blessed by... Read more