In fairness, the circus has been coming to the Vatican for many years now. The costumed performers do meet the pope, this is normal. Would I like more modest costumes? Of course. Keep in mind that they are in the audience hall and not inside St Peter’s.
I had no idea about the circus visiting the Vatican and thought it was notable because I didn’t think others knew that either. The Daily Mail article says a circus has been coming every few weeks under Francis. It’s hard to understand, too, professed Christian leaders bringing in circuses, especially with Christians being persecuted in other places. Many churches in the West do things like this.
And I have to wonder, too, come to think of it, if circuses might be a vehicle for sex trafficking, including child sex trafficking. I never considered it before, but now just come to think of it as I type this, I think I saw some something just the other day about a sexual abuse scandal in an Australian circus.