VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While many people around the world seek a blessing for their animals around the Oct. 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, in Italy the traditional date to pray for the protection of one’s pets and livestock is Jan. 17 — the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and a member of the Franciscan order, celebrated Mass for farmers on the feast day and then went outside to bless their livestock.
The Italian association of livestock raisers brought donkeys, cows, horses, rabbits, chickens, geese and goats, who munched on feed in wooden pens set up just outside St. Peter’s Square.
But before they could be blessed, the calvary came. To the delight of pilgrims, tourists and residents, 80 horses and riders, representing a variety of Italian mounted units — including a mounted band — road up the long boulevard leading to St. Peter’s.
Dozens of Rome residents also brought their dogs, all of whom received the cardinal’s blessing, even if not all of them were doused by the holy water he sprinkled.
Mounted members of the Italian military ride line up outside St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for a blessing from Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Jan. 17, 2025, the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, speaks to a young person involved in equine-assisted therapy as he blesses horses outside St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Jan. 17, 2025, the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Geese and rabbits sit in a pen outside St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican before Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, blesses them Jan. 17, 2025, the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
A woman raises her hand as she prays the Lord’s Prayer before having her dog blessed by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, outside St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Jan. 17, 2025, the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Mounted members of the Italian military wait for Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, to bless their horses outside St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Jan. 17, 2025, the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, greets a farmer and his cow, who was in a stall outside St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, for the annual blessing of livestock and pets Jan. 17, 2025, the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, uses holy water to bless livestock and pets outside St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Jan. 17, 2025, the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Farm animals blessed at the Vatican
Every January 17, the Vatican celebrates the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot, the patron saint of livestock.