The Sydney Morning Herald has put together a simple yet good slideshow with audio of the closing Mass. Relive is here;

http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2008/national/world-youth-day-mass/

Official photos from WYD now available for purchase.

 

You can now view the more than 2500 WYD08 photos that eBenedict took during WYD08 on Flickr;

 

The flag that is arguably most visible at the closing Mass of WYD isn't even an official flag of a nation, but one that is said to be banned in its home country.

Seconds ago, after the closing Mass of WYD08 Pope Benedict announced that the next World Youth Day is to be in Madrid, Spain in 2011!

WYD11 Madrid Spain

Today's txt from the Holy Father:

Young friend the Spirit is calling u 2 be a bearer of the good news of Jesus 2 your generation - BXVI

After flying over the gathered pilgrimsin a helicopter, the Pope, in the Popemobile, drove into the Randwickprecinct and almost at walking pace drove passed the pilgrims.

Several times the motorcade stopped while the Popemobile's window was opened so that the Pontiff could personally bless anumber of small children that were held up to him.

After pilgrims joined the Holy Father in prayer and Adoration at the evening vigil last night, adoration tents around the Randwick precinct were packed with pilgrims continuing their prayer and receiving confession, which was available in many languages.

12 15 Just leaving the Chapel en route to the Southern Cross Precinct, where the pope will lead the Evening Vigil tonight.

12 30 Walking across the bridge now, near Melbourne pilrgims from St Bernadette's North Sunshine.

Stations of the Cross are now underway with large crowds through the streets of Sydney as the stations are held at following locations;

3 pm Station 1: The Last Supper with a special appearance by the Holy Father
St Mary's Cathedral
Performance by St Mary's Cathedral choir 

3:18 pm Station 2: The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane where Christ prepares for his death
The Domain

3:31 pm Station 3: Jesus before the Sanhedrin
The Art Gallery of NSW

Todays TXT message;

The Spirit impels us 4ward 2wards others; the fire of his love makes us missionaries of God's charity. C u tomorrow night - BXVI

Each day Pope Benedict XVI is sending text messaged to Pilgrim's mobile phones.

Tomorrow pilgrims will walk from North Sydney across the Harbour Bridge to Randwick Racecource where they will spend the evening with the Pope in a vigil including adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of Jesus Christ. 

Todays txt message from BXVI;

The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of salvation history: let him write your life-history 2! - BXVI

12:30 pm After 2 hours waiting at Circular Quay near the Sydney Opera House we are now sailing onboard the official media boat for Pope Benedict's boat-a-cade arrival on Sydney Harbour.
 

There were tears and laughter at one catechesis session for WYD pilgrims at the Love and Life Site at Broadway in inner Sydney today.

At a large gathering of Oceanic Pilgrims this morning at Tumbalong Park, costumes, songs, and chants of the Pacific islands were on full show.

One after another the tiny and not so tiny islandsof the pacific are sharing their culture with pilgrims from around the world.

Mary, a Tongan now living in Wollongong said that this event "Really makes us feel at home. I'm trying to blend in."

Kiribati is one of the smaller countries present, with 75 pilgrims coming from this tiny island of 100,000people.

They came to Sydney flying first to Nauru, then to The Solomon Islands, then stopping in Brisbane before finally landing in Sydney. The diocese of Wollongong provided some financial assistance to help bring these islanders to WYD.