An Italian animal rights group has launched an internet petition calling on Pope Benedict to stop wearing fur during religious ceremonies. Lorenzo Croce, chairman of the Italian Association for the Defence of Animals and the Environment (AIDAA), denied being provocative or wanting to make an anti-religious statement, AFP reports.
"We just want to ask him in a message of love and peace to give a strong signal towards the protection of animals and the environment through a small but very significant personal sacrifice," Croce told the Italian news agency ANSA.
Since his election Pope Benedict has taken to wearing a number of traditional religious garments, including a small red velvet cape with a white ermine border, which he wears in winter along with a hat the same colour.
The association has created a website to accept signatures and Croce wants to present the petition to the pope in September.
Pope Benedict returned late on Monday to Rome after a nine day visit to Australia for World Youth Day.
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