How dog owners are dressing their holy hounds up as Pope following announcement of new pontiff

PRAISE be! This gives a whole new meaning to the term dog collar – pet pooches dressed up as the Pope.

When was announced as the new head of the on Thursday, he wore the traditional red and gold outfit that had been shunned by his predecessor

Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, has become the first American pope

That may have answered the prayers of these holy hounds’ owners, who decided the cardinal rule of looking like the supreme pontiff was the bling wardrobe.

In 2015, when Francis visited the US, there was a trend for dressing up dogs to look like the chief.

Now that , 69, from , has become the first American pope, that congregation is sure to grow.

Meryl Espiniero from even dressed her dog Romeo Valentino as the Pope in St Peter’s Square in as she waited for the conclave to vote this week.

Here, Grant Rollings presents our top of the papal pups.

In 2015, when Pope Francis visited the US, there was a trend for dressing up dogs to look like the Vatican chiefThe hound is a top papal pupThis dog has a paw print shawlThis pup donned a marvellous zucchettoThis small white dog is well kitted outThis puppy has a patterned zucchetto hatThis happy dog looks very holyThis dog had a cross made of bones on his vestThis dog pope photo was also shared online