A brief disruption marked an otherwise carefully choreographed moment during the historic visit of Pope Leo to Monaco, as two animal rights activists attempted to intercept the papal motorcade en route to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco.
The incident, captured on video circulating online, shows two women affiliated with PETA stepping into the path of the popemobile while holding signs reading “Stop aux corridas!” — a reference to their opposition to bullfighting.
Security personnel responded quickly, with the activists being escorted away by Monaco police without further escalation. The motorcade continued uninterrupted shortly afterwards.
The demonstration appears to have been timed to coincide with the Pope’s arrival at the Palace, a key moment in what is being described as a landmark visit to the Principality. While Monaco itself does not host bullfighting events, the issue remains a broader point of contention in parts of southern Europe.
Authorities have not indicated that the incident led to any changes in security arrangements for the remainder of the visit.
Despite the brief interruption, the Pope’s programme in Monaco proceeded as planned, with crowds gathering along the route to witness the rare and symbolic occasion.
Image courtesy of TV Monaco