Pope urged to stop wearing fur

An Italian animal rights group is asking Pope Benedict XVI to stop wearing fur.

“It would be a praiseworthy example of Christian charity,” Roberto Bennati, the deputy chairman of the Anti-Vivisection League, said in a statement released on Friday evening.

The Pope occasionally wears a fur-trimmed hat called a “camauro”, headgear popular with pontiffs in the 17th century. He has also donned a red velvet cape trimmed in ermine.

The Anti-Vivisection League made its appeal ahead of a papal trip later this month to Pavia, a northern city that is home to some of Italy’s fur-makers.

“In the respect for the sacredness of all living species, we urge the Holy Father to make a choice of high religious and ethical value, giving up fur on this occasion as well as in the future,” said Bennati.

The Vatican has not publicly responded to the appeal.