Pope Francis' weekly general audience on Wednesday (August 7) was briefly interrupted by animal rights activists protesting against bullfighting.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:68,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1905}">'Stop blessing corridas'</h2>

Two women brandishing banners with slogans including "Bullfighting is a sin" walked down an aisle of the Vatican's Paul VI hall. The women were wearing white T-shirts that had PETA logos and read "Stop blessing corridas," the Spanish term for bullfighting, a controversial spectacle.

The two activists started shouting slogans as soon as the audience went underway and were escorted out by security.

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According to AFP, Wednesday's protest was one of many that have occurred in the past couple of years, urging the Argentinian pope to publicly oppose bullfighting.

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Bullfighting or "corridas" is a controversial tradition practised in various places, including Spain, several Latin American countries and parts of southern France and Portugal.

The brutal sports see men on horseback first lance the bull at its neck. At this point, another person attempts to plant sharp sticks into the animal's shoulders.

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While considered a cultural tradition in many parts of the world, including Spain, the blood sport involves taunting and stabbing the bull before killing it.&nbsp;

According to the international charity PETA, every year thousands of bulls are slaughtered in these traditional sports all over the world.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:612,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2449}">Pope's stand on bullfighting</h2>

In the 16th century, one of Pope Francis' predecessors, Pope Pius V, outlawed bullfighting. At the time, Pope&nbsp;Pius V called the traditional practice "better suited to demons rather than men."

Despite that, according to PETA, catholic priests continue to officiate religious ceremonies in bullfights and minister to bullfighters in chapels built inside arenas.

However, as per Reuters, Pope Francis, who has made protection of the environment a signature part of his 11-year papacy, has yet to comment on the issue.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Pope Francis' weekly general audience on Wednesday (August 7) was briefly interrupted by animal rights activists protesting against bullfighting. 'Stop blessing corridas' Two women brandishing banners with slogans including "Bullfighting is a sin" walked down an aisle of the Vatican's Paul VI hall.

Pope Francis' weekly general audience on Wednesday (August 7) was briefly interrupted by animal rights activists protesting against bullfighting. 'Stop blessing corridas' Two women brandishing banners with slogans including "Bullfighting is a sin" walked down an aisle of the Vatican's Paul VI hall. The women were wearing white T-shirts that had PETA logos and read "Stop blessing corridas," the Spanish term for bullfighting, a controversial spectacle. The two activists started shouting slogans as soon as the audience went underway and were escorted out by security. Also read | Elon Musk's X sues Mars, Unilever and other major advertisers, alleges unlawful boycott According to AFP, Wednesday's protest was one of many that have occurred in the past couple of years, urging the Argentinian pope to publicly oppose bullfighting. Why is bullfighting controversial? Bullfighting or "corridas" is a controversial tradition practised in various places, including Spain, several Latin American countries and parts of southern France and Portugal. The brutal sports see men on horseback first lance the bull at its neck. At this point, another person attempts to plant sharp sticks into the animal's shoulders. Also read | Bangladesh | Hasina's bitterest foe, Khaleda Zia, thanks protesting students for making 'impossible possible' While considered a cultural tradition in many parts of the world, including Spain, the blood sport involves taunting and stabbing the bull before killing it. According to the international charity PETA, every year thousands of bulls are slaughtered in these traditional sports all over the world. Pope's stand on bullfighting In the 16th century, one of Pope Francis' predecessors, Pope Pius V, outlawed bullfighting. At the time, Pope Pius V called the traditional practice "better suited to demons rather than men." Despite that, according to PETA, catholic priests continue to officiate religious ceremonies in bullfights and minister to bullfighters in chapels built inside arenas. However, as per Reuters, Pope Francis, who has made protection of the environment a signature part of his 11-year papacy, has yet to comment on the issue. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Stop blessing corridas’: Animal rights activists protest THIS ‘blood sport’ during Pope’s weekly audience

Pro-animal rights activists protest against bullfighting in Spain

The Spanish parliament on Thursday (April 27) banned bullfighting events featuring dwarves dressed in costumes. The move was welcomed by disability groups but opposed by a few surviving performers.

The Spanish parliament on Thursday (April 27) banned bullfighting events featuring dwarves dressed in costumes. The move was welcomed by disability groups but opposed by a few surviving performers. According to a report by the news agency AFP early Friday, the law approved in Parliament prohibits shows or recreational activities in which people with disabilities, or this circumstance, are used to provoke mockery or ridicule from the public. The law aligns Spain with the European Union (EU) directives on discrimination against disabled people. For years, groups of people with dwarfism dressed as clowns or firefighters have entertained audiences by chasing bulls without killing them, in shows considered humorous. Spain's Royal Board on Disabilities, which advises the social rights ministry, said on Thursday that the government advanced human rights by banning public shows that humiliated disabled people. Jesus Martin, the board's director general, said that such shows "passed the idea to so many girls and boys who go with adults to see these shameful performances that it is ok to laugh at difference". Performers oppose ban The surviving dwarf "toreros" (bullfighters) opposed the government's ban on dwarf bullfighting shows. The performers said that without the shows, their livelihoods are at stake. Amusement in the Arena, a group of dwarf bullfighters, posted on Facebook, "We are bullfighters, we are artists, enough prohibitions, we don't want handouts." On Thursday, the performers staged a protest in front of the Spanish parliament ahead of the vote to express their condemnation of the ban. Daniel Calderón, a dwarf bullfighter, told the EFE news agency that authorities take it for granted "that people are being denigrated or laughed at, and it’s the opposite: the respect they have for us is impressive." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Spain bans 'dwarf bullfighting', surviving performers oppose move

Bullfighting professionals and fans protested across Spain on Saturday (June 13) to demand support for the sector following the impact of the coronavirus, which has led to the cancellation of bull fights.

Bullfighters protest across Spain to demand support after sector is hit by COVID-19