Why do churches bless pets?

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A priest in white vestments sprinkles holy water to bless a small dog held by a woman in a pink sling, surrounded by people outside a church in Mexico City.

A priest in white and gold robes blesses a ginger cat perched on a person's shoulder during the San Anton animal blessing at a church in Madrid.

Why do churches bless pets?: Media

Images

A priest in white vestments sprinkles holy water to bless a small dog held by a woman in a pink sling, surrounded by people outside a church in Mexico City.

Pet blessing in Mexico City

A priest blessing a dog with holy water during the annual “Blessing of the Animals”...

© Daniel Cardenas—Anadolu/Getty Images

A priest in white and gold robes blesses a ginger cat perched on a person's shoulder during the San Anton animal blessing at a church in Madrid.

What is happening?

A priest blessing a cat on the feast day of St. Anthony of Egypt, a patron saint...

© Marcos del Mazo—LightRocket/Getty Images