WASHINGTON (AP) — Churches around Washington were welcoming cats, dogs, goldfish and other household pets for a special blessing.

Sunday marked the celebration of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is the patron saint of the environment and animals, and a number of area churches blessed household pets Sunday as a result.

The Washington National Cathedral held a “Blessing of the Animals” service on the cathedral’s west steps. St. John’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown blessed both real and stuffed animals and gave out treats for pets and humans.

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