[1/2] Activists from the animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) protest against bullfighting near Vatican, in Rome, Italy, July 28, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio DentiVATICAN CITY, July 28 (Reuters) - A group of animal rights activists gathered near the Vatican on Friday dressed in red capes and fake horns to urge Pope Francis to denounce what they see as the barbaric practice of bullfighting. "Catholic Church: Silence is Violence! Denounce bullfighting," read a banner held up by the activists near the ancient Roman Castel Sant'Angelo fortress on the banks of the River Tiber, in view of St Peter's Basilica. Since bullfighting events "are often held in honour of Catholic saints or during holy Christian celebrations, the Catholic Church can and must help end this abuse by publicly condemning bull torture in the name of religion," animal rights group PETA said in a statement.

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Persons: Antonio Denti, Pope Francis, Castel, Pope Pius V, Alvise, Peter Graff Organizations: PETA, REUTERS, CITY, Catholic, Roman Catholic Church, PETA Italy, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Vatican, Rome, Italy, Castel Sant'Angelo, Peter's