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The Pope meets the serpent ... and the koala and the parrot
Last updated at 09:45am on 16.07.08
The image was practically Biblical: Pope Benedict XVI face to face with a serpent.
But the hint of a good vs evil face-off dissipated when the pontiff next squared up against a koala - and, smiling, gave the fuzzy furball a little scratch behind the ears.
The Pope was meeting native Australian animals during the World Youth Day celebration in Australia, where young Roman Catholic pilgrims attended religious classes then chowed down on sausages at barbecues.
That's the spot: Even the Pope can't resist giving this adorable furball a scratch behind the ears
Only if I have to: Perhaps understandably, the Pope appears less enthusiastic as he meets the snake
The second day of the celebration offered a relaxed schedule, beginning with "time for silence for reflection," according to the pilgrims' official handbook. Afternoon events include a pilgrimage walk to the downtown St. Mary's Cathedral, barbecues at hundreds of venues around the city and a beach party at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach featuring a rapping American priest.
Pilgrims also received the second of daily mobile phone text messages from Pope Benedict: "The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles and gives u the power boldly 2 proclaim that Christ is risen! - BXVI."
The pope, enjoying a final day of rest before joining the events tomorrow, held prayers at a private retreat today, then viewed some native Australian animals brought to him by wildlife officers, including a kangaroo, a baby crocodile and a spiky echidna.
Australian fauna was also on the minds of some of the crowds of pilgrims who celebrated together at traditional Aussie fry-ups in the city.
Polly meets the pontiff: The Pope was also introduced to this parrot
"Is it kangaroo? Because I can't do that," said Carol Stockley from New Jersey as she overlooked meat sizzling on a hot plate at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in the city. "But we'll try the sausages."
Nearly 250,000 people registered for World Youth Day, more than half from overseas. The scale of the event was revealed when pilgrims arrived in droves and gathered along a waterfront Tuesday near the landmark Sydney Harbor Bridge for a twilight Mass, beginning with a procession of groups from 168 countries waving their national flags.
Benedict has been resting at a retreat on Sydney's outskirts. He is to move to the grounds of St. Mary's Cathedral, an imposing gothic-style church that is one of Australia's oldest and largest, later today, marking the end of his semi-vacation.
And of course, no visit to Australia would be complete without the Pope meeting a kangaroo
Tomorrow, he will receive a traditional Aboriginal welcome and tour Sydney's harbor by boat before delivering a major address to pilgrims. A papal Mass on Sunday before thousands at a racetrack in the city is scheduled to end the proceedings.
In his sermon at the official opening Mass on Tuesday, Sydney's Archbishop Cardinal George Pell, urged the pilgrims to keep the faith through self-discipline and prayer.
"Many of you have traveled such a long way that you may believe that you have arrived indeed at the ends of the Earth," Pell said. "If so, that's good, for our Lord told his first apostles that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem and to the ends of the Earth."
Rites, including the Holy Communion, left many in tears. Some in the crowd sang along with the choir and orchestra as they played traditional hymns and more upbeat Christian pop songs.
The pilgrims - who are staying in churches, schools and volunteers' homes - have filled the city for days, recognizable by their official yellow, red and orange backpacks and their cheerful greetings and outbursts of song. Sydney residents and commuters have had to deal with street closures and bus route detours around the major venues.
Reader views (22)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Great photos and story. Keep up the coverage of the Pope!
- Dale Depoister, Big Clifty, Kentucky
Calm down, Doug. It's a human interest piece about the leader of a faith with one billion members meeting a koala. And no, this man is not "treated better than any other spiritual man." Have you ever seen a negative story about the Dalai Lama (outside of China, of course). In fact, this is one of the few "puff" pieces I've read about the man. Doug, Doug, Doug... A quarter of a million Catholic kids go to Australia to take part in something that is truly meaningful to them and you see something negative. That's just cynical and sad.
- Josh, The South, USA
To Douglas, from Texas.
St.Peter the apostal was first Pope. St Linus was Second.
The three Hundred years, is when the church was made the official religion of the Roman Government.
Bone up on history dear Douglas.
- Mary Louise Macchiaroli, Pittsburgh, Pa U.S.A.
Thank you for the W.Y.D. coverage this year from Australia. Please keep up the good work.
- James Mchale, Fairfield, CT, USA
May God bless us all.
- Rudy, United States of Ameica
Despite the claims that he is extremely conservative, he is a very forward thinking and very intelligent man, as well as compassionate. Even though I am not Catholic, I feel that I do not have anything to fear from the Church while he is in charge.
- Jacob Henderson, Indianapolis, IN
I suggest people News-Google the name Pell, who is the Cardinal stood next to the Pope in the last photo.
- Bill, Sydney, Oz
I will never, ever think about showing a snake (representing Satan) to a pope.
That is so disgusting. What a devilish idea. what is the point? I do not understand. The popes hands and looks (just to appease the person holding the snake) on the picture was what I would have expected from the pope. I am sure that if he was ask first if he would touch and eager to see a snake that he might have refused. What a shame. I am sorry but I do not get it. Just take a good look at the pope's looks between the natural habitat of Australia (kangaroo, bird and koala). That snake is out of place. The snake is out of place.
- M. G. M., Las Vegas, Nevada
I think this fella should not be petting anyone...Hasn't the catholic church learned that yet?
- White Guy, west ayers canada
What a wonderful gesture.
The Pope is a far more kind and philosophically motivated person than the anti-religious press gives him credit for.
I am surprised that such a nice story was published.
- Charlie, woomera, au qld
Does the pope really necessitate your blessing Joseph? Isn't that pretty redundant?
- Dallas, Bossier, LA
Biblical? Since when does the Catholic Church have anything to do with "biblical scenes?" The Catholic Church was formed 300 years after Christ supposedly was on this earth. Furthermore, why is this man treated better than any other spiritual man?
- Douglas, Dallas, Tx, USA
Pope, instead of petting woodland creatures at the local zoo, do something constructive and take Jesus off the cross. It's been over 2000 years, hasn't the man suffered enough?
- Beezlebub, Hell
Dear Joseph, A saint is a disciple of God... one who follows His ways... and keeps His commandments, including His Sabbaths, etc... any other person, including the pope, follows a mixture of good and evil. Of course the time will come when the pope will understand too. God speed that time...
- John Grech, Malta, Europe
This pope is too cool. What a great presence and message he has!
- Nacnud, US
The Catholic church is a heretical church and represents a portion of what is foretold in Revelation. They are "whitewashed tombs, full of dead men's bones."
- Christian Real, Los Angeles, USA
Pope Benedict XVI lifted hearts and minds when he visited the United States and I am delighted to know that the Australian populace gave him the
same kind of heartfelt welcome! His example of
stressing love and peace over wealth and power is
very much needed at this time everywhere on this
little planet earth!
- A. C. Germann, Ashland, Oregon, U.S.A.
Wonderful to see the Pope enjoying the animals too! Lord watch over and guide our Pope in Your ways.
- Denise M Turchiano, Ohio, U.S.A.
Catholicism is in good hands with this man of the people.
I am blessed to be one.
- Seamus Bull Halsey, allentown PA USA
God bless His Holiness, Benedict XVI and all the pilgrims attending this grand celebrations Down Under...
- Carlos Echevarria, Miami, Florida, USA
What a wonderful reason for a huge gathering of young people from all over the world! The Pope, at 81, is a great friend to all the young people. He helps them learn to understand, respect and love each other. He helps to bring hope and peace to our wounded world.
- K. E. Higgins, Delta, Canada
May God bless this humble saintly man.
- Joseph L Grech, malta eu
