Presented By
Pope Francis holds a parrot shown by a pilgrim as he arrives for his general audience at St Peter's square on January 29, 2014 at the Vatican.
Osservatore Romano—AFP—Getty Images

Among the newest recipients of Pope Francis’ good will is the parrot of a male stripper-turned-erotic film actor, the ANSA news agency reported this week.

The pet of Francesco Lombardi, named Amore, or “Love,” was passed to the Pope as he rode around St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday. The crowd watched as he leaned from the pope-mobile to hold the bird on his finger and bless it. Later, Lombardi told ANSA that Amore said “Papa” during the encounter, mocking the people’s chant.

“It was fun,” said Lombardi. “A sort of mixing of the holy and the profane.”

He added that he was at the Square with his wife and two daughters specifically to attend the Pope’s general audience: “Pope Francis, who I am in love with, called it ‘a beautiful gift from God.'”

[ANSA]

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com.

You May Also Like
EDIT POST