Brazilians get their pets blessed on Saint Francis Day

A mass is held in honour of Saint Francis who is considered as the protector of animals (Photo: AP)

Dogs greet each other during a Mass in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, in Brasilia (Photo: AP)

Animals are blessed at a mass in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi as people turn up in large numbers with their pets (Photo: AP)

A woman prays with her dog during a Mass in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, in Brasilia (Photo: AP)

A dog wears a protection cone during a Mass in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi (Photo: AP)

A woman strokes her Yorkshire terrier puppies during a Mass in honor of Saint Francis (Photo: AP)

A woman arrives with her parakeet during a attend a Mass in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, in Brasilia (Photo: AP)