When Simona Rosati brought her small Chihuahua to the papal general audience, she had no idea she would become part of an international controversy.
Pope Francis, who passed away at 7:35 am on Easter Monday at the age of 88, was reportedly anything but pleased with the dog owner's request. What sounds like an unusual anecdote made headlines worldwide in May 2023 - leaving animal lovers everywhere completely puzzled.
"This is my child - please bless him!"
The pontiff was known for being close to the people, deliberately eschewing pomp and standing up for the most vulnerable.
At an event on birth rates in Rome, the head of the Church told an astonished audience how a woman had confronted him with an unusual request. She presented him with a small dog in a carrier bag, saying: "This is my child, please bless her". According to the Pope, he "lost his temper" as soon as he heard the request.
"Children are starving!"
The thought of people treating animals like children while real children were in need had shaken the Pope.
"So many children are starving, and you bring me a dog to bless!" - he responded, as he reprimanded the owner.
But here's where it gets controversial: According to the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, the dog owner, Simona Rosati, tells a completely different version of the story.
Rosati explained that she wanted to present the Pope with a bouquet of flowers containing a photo of a deceased friend. Her Chihuahua 'Mialma' happened to peek out of the carrier bag when the Pope touched her hand.
Confusion between the reality and a media frenzy
Rosati emphasises, "The Pope didn't scold me at all, he jokingly remarked that the name 'Mialma' (meaning 'my soul') wasn't quite appropriate. She should have been called 'Mia', which would have suited a dog better".
"I didn't feel offended, I felt pleased. He was like a grandfather- honest and loving", Rosati recalls.
The excitement about the small dog reveals a deeper debate: What does parenthood mean today? Where does love for animals end and where does the neglect of human responsibility begin?
Pope Francis often used such examples to draw attention to the dramatically low birth rates in Italy and elsewhere in Europe. So was this encounter deliberately exaggerated?
Farewell to 'Mialma'
Rosati decided to follow the late Pope's advice. Although the dog passport still reads 'Mialma', she renamed her Chihuahua Mia.
The owner continues to speak highly of the late head of the Catholic Church: "I won't forget him - he gave me wise advice". And whether it came with or without an official blessing, little Mia has definitely given people plenty to talk about.
