Vatican City, Jun 1, 2011 / 15:18 pm
At the end of the June 1 general audience, Pope Benedict XVI greeted NBC anchors Matt Lauer and Al Rocker, as they prepared to air the "Today" show from the Vatican.
During their brief encounter, Lauer presented the Pope with a crystal cat.
“We had heard that this Pope has a real love for cats,” Lauer said in an interview with ABC. “He seemed to accept it and like it and, anyway, we just wanted to offer him some gift to show our appreciation for the time and generosity he showed us.”
“Today” show producer Jim Bell told TVNewser that the Vatican was “a particular passion” for late NBC Washington Bureau chief Tim Russert.
Russert had his own audience with Pope Benedict XVI days before he died of a heart attack.