"If he says he doesn't want to run I could totally understand that, " Smilde said.

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"I just don't understand how someone could have a dog like that about their home, " he said.

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But, Walsh added, "what I don't understand is that he says he wants to be part of it all, which could be disastrous if you take it at face value, " referring to Benedict's promise not to abandon the church.

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