In a fitting image for a pope inspired by the patron saint of animals, Francis bent down to caress the dog.
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He said, ‘and a special blessing for you dog too.’ He broke the ceremonial rules as my presence on stage with Asià wasn’t previously arranged,” Forlani said.
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A yellow Labrador Retriever was among the firsts privileged to receive a physical blessing from Pope Francis’s hands this weekend.
Images: Asià, the yellow Labrador guide dog (top) and receiving a blessing from Pope Francis. Credit: Rossella Lorenzi
He knows a wonderful lab!
Labs are our Guardian Angels
Yes they are! And we love…..love…..love them!
Labs = Love! Best breed around!!
See, even the pope thinks dogs (and particularly labs) are awesome!
as it’s supposed to be…I think I’m gonna LIKE this guy!! So fitting for the times! GOD = DOG..
Poor dog. We don’t even let animals live without religion, as they naturally do. Anybody ever seen a non-human species on this planet that has a religion?
taking my yellow lab to blessing of the pet sunday in perth australia
anyone who loves animals is ok with me
Good on you Pope for liking Labradors
Not Catholic, but I like this new Pope already! His love of people and animals is great!
I’m not Catholic either, but I like him too. His genuine feelings show in everything he does.
I like him too…plus he named himself after St. Francis, the patron saint of animals!!!
any one who loves animals is ok in my book
If he’s an animal lover as St. Francis was then he should condemn all cruelty and slaughter of innocent creatures!
Not catholic, not even religious but just maybe the Catholic Church has a leader who is interested in using the leadership for good and not for bolstering up a corrupt group of self centred people. like the way he seems to be bucking the trend, hope he doesn’t get suppressed.
Go Pope ; )
I think I like this Pope.
love new Pope and his name FRANCiS 1
As a former Catholic who worked for the church for 15+ years, I’m glad he likes labs, but what will impress me more is if he exposes and turns in the countless number of priests who have sexually abused children to be prosecuted by the law. I am adovacte for labs and children! I have no problem with what consenting adults do, but find it rather hypocritical when the Church stands against homosexuality and 80-90% of priests are either gay or pedophioles. In my opinion dogs are a far better way to know the ways of God than men…