French church holds blessing ceremony for pets in Lyon

Dozens of people in French city of Lyon took part in a pet blessing ceremony at the Basilica of Saint-Bonaventure on Saturday. The church has organised the event in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology known for his love of nature and animals, since 2024.

The event is a tradition in many French churches around October 4th, where people bring their pets to be blessed in remembrance of the saint's love for all creatures. The ceremony is a way for people of many traditions to show appreciation for their pets and the role animals play in human lives.