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In a press conference just given by Pope Benedict XVI's, spokesperson, Fr Lombardi reported on the Papal movements. Today, Taronga Zoo took some animals to show the Pope - a koala amongst other fauna - to introduce him to the native Australian wildlife, as Australians are proud of the flora and fauna, that are specific to Australia, said Fr Lombardi. Vatican Press spokesperson, Fr Lombardi reported that the pontiff when offered the koala to hold said "No, you take it, its much safer in your hands, than in mine." As well today, His Holiness gave a blessing to the policemen who are taking care of his security during this period. One policeman who is "gravemente malato di cancro" (gravely sick with cancer) today received a special blessing from the Pontiff and received one rosary. He also had a brief conversation with the Pope. And he tried on the policeman's hat. In the same press conference, one journalist asked about the location of the next WYD, and Fr Lombardi quelled the question saying, wait until the end of WYD to find out. Fr Lombardi, said that WYD will change to become a 'conclusive event' as there will be more attention paid to the preparation period - more WYD events are to be held before the week of official WYD. The sense of his answer was: It will be a big period, with events some months before to be part of WYD as well. Vatican Press spokesperson would not say whether the Pope will speak about clerical sexual abuse. Fr Lombardi told that perhaps the Pope in his first speech will talk tomorrow about the Australian situation, in response to one journalist's question. Tonight the Pope will sleep at the Cardinal's residence of St Mary's Cathedral. |