The Pope VS. Cats
In a curious and seemingly inexplicable turn of events, Pope Gregory IX, in the 13th century, initiated a peculiar campaign against cats. The Pope deemed cats to be associated with witchcraft and heresy, leading to their widespread persecution. Cats were cruelly exterminated across Europe, especially during the Middle Ages, resulting in a drastic reduction in their population.

Ironically, this mass killing of cats inadvertently contributed to the proliferation of disease-carrying rodents, exacerbating the spread of the Black Death during the 14th century. Pope Gregory’s war against cats stands as a bizarre and ultimately counterproductive episode, highlighting the often irrational beliefs and actions that have shaped history, particularly during times of superstition and ignorance.