Pope John Paul II Advocated for Animals

I read an article on the PETA site about how Pope John Paul II loved animals and encouraged care for them:

Pope John Paul II taught love for animals more than any other pope in recent memory.

In 1990, His Holiness proclaimed that “the animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren.” He went on to say that all animals are “fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect” and that they are “as near to God as men are.”

I hope the next Pope upholds these beliefs and urges care and concern for all animals.