'The Pope should have slowed down and listened to our activists'

During Pope Francis' recent visit to Luxembourg, three PETA activists attempted to disrupt the Pontiff's procession by jumping over barriers. Despite the protest, the Popemobile continued on its route, appearing to speed up. Our colleagues from RTL.lu spoke with the animal rights organisation following the incident.

Last Thursday, as the Popemobile crossed the Pont Adolphe, three members of PETA breached the security barriers in an attempt to block the vehicle. Police quickly intervened and subdued the activists, but the disruption briefly affected the Pope's journey and PETA succeeded in drawing attention to their cause.

Spectators lining the route and viewers watching the event live noticed that the Popemobile appeared to accelerate after the activists' stunt. Security personnel walking alongside the vehicle were seen hurrying to keep up, while the public, who had perhaps expected a better look at the Pope, were left with only a fleeting glimpse.

Did the Popemobile speed up due to the PETA protest?

When questioned by RTL, neither the Luxembourg police nor the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed whether the protest prompted the vehicle to accelerate. However, many onlookers speculated that the two events were connected. The Vatican has also been asked to comment, but has yet to provide an answer.

RTL also confronted PETA with the fact that many spectators hold the animal rights organisation responsible for the fact that the Pope passed them by so quickly. True to PETA's style, their response was pointed: "What is actually disappointing is that the Pope did not slow down to hear the activists' message. They asked His Holiness to show mercy to God's creation and to end the Church's complicity in the torture of bulls."

"Barbarism", "unholy spectacle"

In its response, PETA goes a step further and takes the opportunity to reiterate its stance against bullfighting: "Even if bulls only suffered for the few moments it would have taken the Pope to hear the protesters, bullfighting would still be a vile industry. But these sentient animals endure repeated stabbing and die a prolonged, painful death, choking on their own blood." The organisation therefore calls on all Catholics to condemn what it described as barbarism

Because the Pope does not condemn bullfighting, three PETA activists wanted to stop the Popemobile on Pont Adolphe. / © PETA

Commenting on the aftermath of the protest, PETA condemned the treatment of its activists, claiming that the "courageous" individuals were "violently thrown to the ground" simply for defending "what is right." PETA also pointed out that many Christians remain unaware of the Church’s ties to bullfighting, adding: "PETA will not be satisfied until Pope Francis condemns bullfighting, admitting that it is an affront to God and severs the Church's unfortunate link to this unholy spectacle."

Released later that evening

PETA has staged similar protests during past public appearances by the Pope, and the organisation told RTL that it receives a lot of positive feedback from the Catholic community.

However, the demonstration in Luxembourg also resulted in negative consequences: some activists sustained injuries, with one even being pushed over a wall. But all this is of course "nothing compared to what bulls have to endure in the bullring," according to Jennifer White of PETA UK, the organisation responsible for the demonstration in the Grand Duchy, even though the press release was subsequently sent by PETA Germany.

The activists were handcuffed, arrested, and released later that evening, White confirmed. The police corroborated this, stating that the three individuals were taken into custody under Article 14 of the Police Act, which allows for administrative detention. They were released at around 6:15pm. A report was filed and forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Mayor of Luxembourg City.