3PM UPDATE: THE PAPAL BOAT IS OFF

 

After boarding the boat, His Holiness has greeted several of the 16 young people who have been selected to board the boat with the Pontiff. 

 

He has just gone in to sit down. He looked positively thrilled to be here, standing out on the deck to greet the young folk. 

 

We can see that pilgrims line the foreshore to get the vantage point of the Pontiff. 

 

As the Papal boat hugs the foreshore in its journey to Barangaroo, the pilgrims fill the grounds, and lively dances are underway on stage - ramping up the vibe.

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.

Following Cardinal Pell's opening Mass, pilgrims danced and partied to a number of musical acts including Guy Sebastian.

Later the Tap Dogs performed just before fireworks lit the sky to a throbbing dancing beat, getting the pilgrims, and a few religious, dancing in celebration of a wonderfull evening.

The biggest sellers at the WYD08 Merchandise store in Hyde Park when we visited today were the Pope teaspoons and the WYD CD.

Nuns that have arrived early for WYD are creating interest with the public on Sydney's suburban streets.

Word is, a group of about 15 Dominican nuns dressed in their full habit have been seen walking down the main street of  Belmore being filmed. They were also being noticed and talked to by

The New South Wales Rail Tram and Bus union had been threatening to strike on Thursday the 17th July, when Pope Benedict arrives in Sydney. The media had been referring to this day as "Super Thursday" as it is expected to be one of the busiest days for transport during WYD08, with the public being asked not to drive to work.

The strike has now been called off thanks to

Spirits were high today at airports this morning with WYD pilgrims arriving for pre WYD08 activities across Australia and New Zealand. Many will be participating in Days in the Diocese programmes. The first Pilgrims met at the airport today in Brisbane are from Wyoming in USA, and Alberta in Canada. Later in the week Pilgrims are expected in Brisbane from 48 other countries including

WYD Pilgrims set to start rolling in soon.

Starting early Monday morning the first pilgrims to Days in the Diocese in Brisbane will start arriving. The first countries to arrive include the USA and Canada.

Other countries later in the week include Mongolia and PNG.