Pope fuels furore over fur robes

Anti-fur protesters in Italy have launched an online petition to make sure that Pope Benedict knows a direct line to the divine does not make it OK to wear fur.

The pontiff has been seen out and about in what looks much like a papal santa suit, causing over 2,260 signatories to show their displeasure. "The pope has often talked about protecting the environment and we are asking that he acknowledges that animals, as God's creation, also deserve respect," said Lorenzo Croce, head of the Italian campaign.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo defended the pope yesterday, saying: "Aren't there more important battles to wage?" he asked. "There are human beings who merit more urgent assistance that no one is taking care of. And if we eat animals, we can wear them."

More recently, the pope's attire hit the headlines in June when the Vatican was forced to deny that the he wore red loafers designed by Prada, giving him the nickname 'Prada Pope'. The Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, labelled the claims as "frivolous," condemning the media reports which are said to have trivialised the church. [Via Catwalk Queen]

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