ROME – A group opposed to wearing fur has asked Pope Benedict XVI to give up his ermine-trimmed attire.
The Italian Association for the Defense of Animals and the Environment said Wednesday it has collected about 2,000 online signatures since the campaign was launched in July.
The pope has sometimes sported a fur-trimmed hat known as the “camauro.” On some occasions, he has donned a sumptuous red velvet cape trimmed in ermine. Both are part of traditional papal attire, but had long been abandoned.
Lorenzo Croce, the association’s president, said he would send the signatures to the Vatican at the end of September.
“Just like we demand respect for trees and nature, it would be important to make a gesture of respect for another part of creation,” Croce said.
In its petition, the association calls for “respect of life in all its forms” and says “animals are also creatures of God.”
Croce said he wrote to the Vatican earlier this week but has had no response to his campaign. The Vatican has not publicly commented on the initiatives. – AP