The Zoo Comes to Pope Benedict In Australia (Pics)

From the Australian Daily Telegraph Benny and the pets

His borrowed cat Bella has had the run of the place thus far, but the Kenthurst Study Centre became a makeshift menagerie this morning when Pope Benedict met a large group of native Australian animals.

As five keepers from Taronga Zoo looked on, the Pontiff met the group, which included a koala named Darwin, a red-neck wallaby called Tammy Faye, a 2m-long carpet python, some parrots and a shingle-back lizard. The 40-minute visit, was a resounding success, according to Taronga Zoo spokesman Danielle McGill, who was in attendance. "We asked the Pope if he wanted to handle the animals but he said no - he was just happy to be introduced to them and learn about them and touch them," she said.

Update Father Z has a Vid at Video of Pope Benedict with critters