Morrissey has sent a letter to Pope Francis asking him "to condemn the sinful spectacle of bullfighting", according to the Press Association.

The former frontman with The Smiths, who has famously championed animal rights, has stated that he wanted 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 taking place at the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, which PETA says has “Catholic roots.”

In the August 2024 open letter, Morrissey wrote: "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."

He also said that the Church will lose its “relevance” if it does not condemn the “atrocity” that takes place in Pamplona.

The singer has explored the topic of animal welfare in his song ‘The Bullfighter Dies’, as well as The Smiths track ‘Meat Is Murder’, which is also the name of the band’s second studio album.

As the Press Association reports, he concluded by saying: “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."