Italy celebrates the feast day of St Anthony Abbot, the patron saint and protector of animals, on Sunday 17 January 2021. This year however, due to the coronavirus crisis, the annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony at the Vatican will not take place.

The tradition normally involves an open air stable set up in front of St Peter’s Square with horses, cows, sheep, pigs, goats and hens, as well as dogs and cats. The traditional Mass for farmers and their families will be celebrated St Peter's tomorrow, 18 January, but without any animals present outside, reports Vatican News.