The Smiths frontman Morrissey has asked Pope Francis ‘to condemn the sinful spectacle of bullfighting’.
The 65-year-old, who has famously campaigned for animal rights over the years, sent an open letter addressed to the head of the Catholic Church to ‘add my voice’ to a campaign from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).
The animal rights organisation has previously urged the Pope to condemn bullfighting, which takes place at the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, which Peta says has ‘Catholic roots’.
The Running of the Bulls website says that on ‘the evening of the Bull Run at 6 pm, the bulls are killed during the Bullfights in the bullfight arena (Plaza de Toros)’.
In the letter, dated August 2024, Morrissey said: ‘These abominations have to end, and only you (Pope Francis) can end them. Please, please do.
‘I was raised in a Roman Catholic family and brought up in the Church, but any person who believes in compassion could be writing this to you: please add my voice to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA) call for you to condemn the sinful spectacle of bullfighting.
‘You chose the name of St Francis – patron saint of animals and the environment – because you wish to make nature protection your legacy, but the torture, torment, and killing of bulls for sport flies in the face of his teachings and yours.’
He added: ‘As compassionate people have realised that bulls suffer almost beyond imagination when stabbed and tortured in the ring, bullfighting’s popularity has plummeted.
‘This year, Colombia banned bullfighting.’
Colombian president Gustavo Petro signed a bill that bans bullfights in the South American country earlier in the year.
Morrissey said that if the Church will not condemn the ‘atrocity’ that takes place in Pamplona it may lose its ‘relevance’.
He continued: ‘As I once sang, we all want the bull to survive. And so it is. Please show mercy and kindness to these animals and condemn bullfighting.”
The 80s rocker explores the topic of animal welfare in his song The Bullfighter Dies and The Smiths song Meat Is Murder, the name of the band’s second studio album.
Morrissey once famously compared eating meat to peadophilia.
In a Q&A session on his fan website in 2014as per The Guardian, Morrissey wrote: ‘I see no difference between eating animals and paedophilia.
He added: ‘They are both rape, violence, murder. If I’m introduced to anyone who eats beings, I walk away.’
His slamming of bullfighting comes after Morrissey claimed he accepted a ‘lucrative’ offer for a Smiths reunion this summer but former bandmate Johnny Marr ignored it.
After Noel and Liam Gallagher declared an end to their decades-long feud and announced Oasis were reuniting, The Smiths fans asked why Marr and Morrissey can’t do the same.
On Thursday Morrissey posted a statement on his website saying: ‘In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as “The Smiths” throughout 2025. Morrissey said yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.”
The statement added: ‘Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November. Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.’
While Marr didn’t formally reply, he did respond to a fan on X – who asked, ‘If Oasis can do it, The Smiths can too (I’m delusional)’ – with a simple picture of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage grinning with a pint in hand.
While this may have seemed a cryptic response, this appeared to be a reference to the band’s’s political beliefs.
In recent years the singer, real name Steven Patrick Morrissey, has said that he is a supporter of Nigel Farage and Brexit – things which some members of the band, including Johnny, do not agree with.
The group was one of the most beloved bands of the 80s, performing from 1982 until 1987. They released major hits including There Is A Light That Never Goes Out and How Soon Is Now?
The Catholic Church and Running of the Bulls organisers have been approached for comment.