{
  "id": 11894819,
  "title": "Wagging tails fill Malate Church as priests bless pets for St. Francis feast",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/wagging-tails-fill-malate-church-as-priests-bless-pets-for-st-francis",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T09:26:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/2026/10/04/wagging-tails-fill-malate-church-as-priests-bless-pets-for-st-francis-feast"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "In Manila, the Malate Church held its first annual pet blessing on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a patron saint of animals and ecology. Over 200 pets, mostly dogs but also cats and a snail, were blessed by priests in a line formation. The event was seen as a way to express gratitude for the unconditional love and companionship pets provide while honoring St. Francis' teachings. The church also offered free pet vaccinations in the parking lot.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}