Nicole Winfield, The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI greeted thousands of clowns, acrobats, puppeteers and even a pair of lion cubs on Saturday as the circus came to town for an unusual papal performance.
Benedict clapped and watched amused as circus workers flipped, flopped, juggled and twisted before him in what the Vatican has called a historic audience to make street performers and other itinerant entertainers feel like they belong to the church.
Benedict, a known cat lover, paid particular attention to a pair of lion cubs that were brought up to him, stroking them and chatting with their trainers. At one point Benedict even bent down to caress one — not an easy feat given the 85-year-old pope has trouble with his knees and occasionally uses a cane.
Benedict acknowledged the sacrifices circus workers make to bring joy to young and old alike, travelling constantly and living on the margins of society. He noted they lack schools for their children or parish churches to call home. But he urged them to keep the faith.
“I hope that you can find, in the communities where you stay, people who are welcoming and available and able to care for your spiritual needs,” Benedict said. He urged governments to better integrate itinerant entertainers in the social fabric.
A big top tent and carousel were mounted in St. Peter’s Square to make the scene complete, and thousands of entertainers from a dozen countries filled a Vatican audience hall for the papal performance that featured acrobats and a puppet show.
Benedict has been entertained before by various circus troupes, but Vatican officials said Saturday’s audience was unusual in that it involved so many different types of travelling performers from around the world, and was dedicated to them alone.
The event was organized by the Vatican office that looks out for the welfare of migrants, refugees, seamen as well as prostitutes and street children — people who by force or choice live without stable homes.
Pope Benedict XVI (C) looks at gifts as thousands of participants to the “Pilgrimage to Rome” festival – circus professionals, carnival people, street artists, madonnari (pavement artists), bands and folk groups – gathered in Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) in the Vatican on December 1, 2012 for their audience with the pope. AFP PHOTO / POOL / OSSERVATORE ROMANO
A marching band performs before an audience with Pope Benedict XVI as thousands of participants to the “Pilgrimage to Rome” festival – circus professionals, carnival people, street artists, madonnari (pavement artists), bands and folk groups – gather in Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) in the Vatican on December 1, 2012 for their audience with the pope. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO
An artist takes part in a parade before an audience with Pope Benedict XVI as thousands of participants to the “Pilgrimage to Rome” festival – circus professionals, carnival people, street artists, madonnari (pavement artists), bands and folk groups – gather in Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) in the Vatican on December 1, 2012 for their audience with the pope. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO
Pope Benedict XVI greets a circus artist holding a traditional puppet after he performed for him during an audience he held in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. Benedict clapped and watched amused as circus workers flipped, flopped, juggled and twisted before him in what the Vatican has called a historic audience to make street performers and other itinerant entertainers feel like they belong to the church. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Artists take part in a parade before an audience with Pope Benedict XVI as thousands of participants to the “Pilgrimage to Rome” festival – circus professionals, carnival people, street artists, madonnari (pavement artists), bands and folk groups – gather in Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) in the Vatican on December 1, 2012 for their audience with the pope. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO
A circus tent and worker in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at the end of an audience Pope Benedict XVI earlier granted to circus artists and workers. Benedict clapped and watched amused as circus workers flipped, flopped, juggled and twisted before him in what the Vatican has called a historic audience to make street performers and other itinerant entertainers feel like they belong to the church. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
An artist prepares for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI as thousands of participants to the “Pilgrimage to Rome” festival – circus professionals, carnival people, street artists, madonnari (pavement artists), bands and folk groups – gather in Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) in the Vatican on December 1, 2012 for their audience with the pope. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO
Pope Benedict XVI (R) watches performances by acrobats and jugglers as thousands of participants to the “Pilgrimage to Rome” festival -circus professionals, carnival people, street artists, madonnari (pavement artists), bands and folk groups – gather in Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) in the Vatican on December 1, 2012 for their audience with the pope. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO
Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his meeting with thousands of participants to the “Pilgrimage to Rome” festival – circus professionals, carnival people, street artists, madonnari (pavement artists), bands and folk groups – gathered in Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) in the Vatican on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 for their audience with the pope. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO
An artist performs before Pope Benedict XVI and thousands of participants to the “Pilgrimage to Rome” festival – circus professionals, carnival people, street artists, madonnari (pavement artists), bands and folk groups- gather in Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) at the Vatican on December 1, 2012 . AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO
A contortionist performs before an audience with Pope Benedict XVI as thousands of participants to the “Pilgrimage to Rome” festival – circus professionals, carnival people, street artists, madonnari (pavement artists), bands and folk groups – gather in Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) in the Vatican on December 1, 2012 for their audience with the pope. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO
Pope Benedict XVI strokes a lion cub as he greets circus artists and workers, during an audience he held in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. Benedict clapped and watched amused as circus workers flipped, flopped, juggled and twisted before him in what the Vatican has called a historic audience to make street performers and other itinerant entertainers feel like they belong to the church. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Benedict XVI sits as circus artists and workers perform during an audience he held in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. Benedict clapped and watched amused as circus workers flipped, flopped, juggled and twisted before him in what the Vatican has called a historic audience to make street performers and other itinerant entertainers feel like they belong to the church. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Benedict XVI strokes a lion cub as he greets circus artists and workers during an audience he held in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. Benedict clapped and watched amused as circus workers flipped, flopped, juggled and twisted before him in what the Vatican has called a historic audience to make street performers and other itinerant entertainers feel like they belong to the church. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Benedict XVI watches as circus artists and workers perform during an audience he held in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. Benedict clapped and watched amused as circus workers flipped, flopped, juggled and twisted before him in what the Vatican has called a historic audience to make street performers and other itinerant entertainers feel like they belong to the church. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
