There is no verified evidence that Pope Francis had a dog named Baltazar or any other dog officially associated with him. Stories and videos circulating about Pope Francis asking to say goodbye to a dog named Baltazar before his death in April 2025 have been fact-checked and identified as fabrications created by artificial intelligence, with no confirmation from official Vatican sources or credible news outlets
. However, there is a popular fictional narrative about a scruffy dog named Estabbon who was said to have been a loyal companion to Pope Francis, especially in his final days. This story, widely shared in videos and social media, is a touching but fictional account created for entertainment and emotional impact rather than based on factual events. According to this narrative, Estabbon was found peacefully passing away shortly after the Pope’s death, and was cared for by Vatican personnel
. This story is not supported by official records. Pope Francis is known for his compassion towards animals and has spoken openly about the importance of caring for all creatures, including dogs, but there is no official record of him owning a dog or any specific pet during his papacy
. In summary:
- No credible evidence exists that Pope Francis had a dog named Baltazar or any dog that stayed with him at his death
- Stories about a dog named Estabbon are fictional and created for emotional storytelling, not factual reporting
- Pope Francis has expressed strong support for animal welfare and kindness to animals, but no official pet ownership is recorded
