Pushkin, cat who met the Pope and published a book, dies aged 19

The author, papal confidant, archivist and cat Pushkin has died aged 19. He had been suffering from thyroid problems and went off his food on Sunday.

It was during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the UK in 2010 that Pushkin emerged as one of the Church’s most influential and highly-regarded felines. When the Supreme Pontiff came to Pushkin’s home at the Birmingham Oratory, the cat began to miaow loudly.

Benedict replied: “Aren’t you pretty, aren’t you pretty? What’s his name? How old is he?” Pushkin, wearing a ribbon in the papal colours of yellow and white, extended his paw and is said to have maintained “a dignified and prayerful silence”.