Brigitte Bardot Condemns Pope Francis for Not Going Vegan for Lent

This week, French actress Brigitte Bardot expressed her disdain about Pope Francis choosing to promote the consumption of animal products during Lent. In February, 12-year-old vegan activist Genesis Butler, supported by the Million Dollar Vegan campaign, urged Pope Francis to go vegan for Lent in exchange for $1 million to be donated to a charity of his choosing. The Pope responded to Butler’s request with a vague letter that did not address the issue, prompting Butler to request that Pope Francis share a vegan meal with her during Lent to discuss the devastating impact of animal agriculture on the environment—to which Pope Francis has yet to respond. Bardot took to Twitter to condemn the Pope for failing to promote a cruelty-free diet during Lent. “I am Catholic but I protest against the decisions of Pope Francis, who chose this name in homage to St. Francis of Assisi and does nothing to improve the condition of animals.” Bardot tweeted. “His last decision to allow Catholics to feed on animal flesh during the 40 days of Lent is aberrant. I support the association Million Dollar Vegan which revolts against this papal cruelty and respecting religious advice, invites believers to do a vegan Lent.”