Pope Francis Pets Tiger Cub During Circus Visit to Vatican

Pope Francis had a close encounter Thursday with a 6-month-old tiger cub during an event at the Vatican. It happened at a special audience for the Catholic Church’s Holy Year. The Pope was all smiles as the handlers of the tiger brought it on stage and fed it from a milk bottle. The demonstration was part of a celebration involving circus and traveling show people. Someone encouraged Pope Francis to get up and get acquainted with the animal. At first, it jerked its head around, and the pope pulled his hand back. The tiger trainer said the cub had been scared by the white object that had come up next to him, but after he was reassured by the cub’s handlers, Francis tried again. He stroked the tiger’s back to the applause of the audience.