One of Italy's leading animal rights groups has launched an internet petition, asking Pope Benedict XVI to stop wearing fur during religious ceremonies at the Vatican.
Lorenzo Croce from the Association for the Defence of Animals and the Environment says they're just asking the Pope in a message of love and peace to give a strong signal towards the protection of animals and the environment through a small but very significant personal sacrifice.
Since his election Pope Benedict has taken to wearing a number of traditional religious garments, including a small red velvet cape with a white ermine border, which he wears in winter.
Croce wants to present the petition to the Pope in September.