Pope Francis promises visit to Rome zoo

(ANSA) – Rome, October 18 – Pope Francis has promised to visit Rome’s zoo to bless the animals, the zoo’s president Federico Coccia said in a statement Friday after meeting with the pontiff in a private audience.

”During our talk, Pope Francis stressed the need to protect animals through love, to respect them and to educate children to safeguard the environment”, said Coccia, who is chairman of the capital’s zoo set in the extensive Villa Borghese park in the hearth of the city.

”I told the Holy Father that in choosing the name Francis he took a responsibility not only towards Romans of whom he is bishop but also towards all animals living in the city”, he said.

”By preserving rare species from five continents we are proud to contribute to the universal mission of Pope Francis who since his enthronement has called on humanity to ‘preserve the creation’, making it the slogan of his pontificate”, concluded Coccia.