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October 12, 2008 10:23:52 AM CDT

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Aussies May Have Slipped Pope a Cat

Posted Jul 15, 08 1:23 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – There’s a new papal mystery swirling around the Outback—is Pope Benedict hanging out with a borrowed kitten? Organizers of the Catholic youth festival say they gave Benedict a gray loaner named Bella to keep the cat-loving pontiff company during his Australian sojurn. But when pressed, a Vatican spokesman told the AP he had no knowledge of such a feline.

While Benedict was allegedly hanging with his alleged kitty, Australia was kicking off its World Youth Day festivities, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims from around the world. Benedict will join in tomorrow, but for now he is sequestered for his vacation. No one has been allowed into his compound save close aides, high-ranking church officials, and members of the local symphony orchestra. And maybe the cat.

Source Associated Press

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A giant photo of Pope Benedict XVI is projected onto the Harbor Bridge in Sydney, Australia, July 14, 2008. Pope Benedict XVI is in Australia for World Youth Day. And he may have a cat.   (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
The cover of "Joseph and Chico," a book detailing Benedict's life through the eyes of a cat.   (AP Photo/EdizioniMessaggero, HO)
Chico, an eight-years-old cat sits in front of the former house of Pope Benedict XVI. Chico belongs to a family, that lived next door to the Pope, then Joseph Ratzinger.   (AP Photo/Uwe Lein)
No one knows for sure if Benedict is keeping company with a borrowed Australian cat - call it a papal mystery.   (Shutterstock)
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Australia  • Catholic Church  • Pope Benedict XVI  • Vatican  • cat  • World Youth Day


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