Pigs (real ones) are blessed at the Vatican

Photo ~ A traditional Sicilian chariot with a horse is seen in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican January 17, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Stefano Rellandini

(Reuters) - The animals arrived at the Vatican on Friday to get a blessing.

Pigs, chickens, horses, cats and dogs, were at St. Peter's Square to mark the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot, the third-century saint who is the Catholic Church's patron of animals.

Farmers, ranchers and breeders brought their animals to the square for a blessing by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica. Comastri also said a Mass inside the church for the humans - the animals waited outside.