Category >> WYD
 The Papal Farewell to WYD Volunteers iin Sydney 9. 53am Now after shaking hands with cardinals and bishops, including Bishop Anthony Fisher O.P., Benedict XVI mounts the stairs and enters the Qantas plane, to head back to Rome.
 Pope Benedict XVI walks to the altar. After a very cold night of sleeping under the stars, the pilgrims awake to the sounds of the choir of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, leading the pilgrims in Morning prayer. The Holy Father flies across the Southern Cross Precinct. He gets out and moves into the pope-mobile. Once again, The Holy Father takes to the streets of Sydney, this time greeted by the many Sydney-siders that have come out to welcome him. Inside Randwick racecourse, Guy Sebastian warms the pilgrims with a moving performance of 'I Surrender All', 'Falling In Love with Jesus' and the WYD theme song 'Receive the Power' The pilgrims as well as the many thousands of people that have just arrived at Randwick for Mass this morning are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Pope Benedict, for the celebration of Holy Mass, the high point of WYD week. The pope-mobile stops as the window is wound down and a baby is passed to the Holy Father for a blessing - obviously an unscheduled moment, but an eternal moment that will last a lifetime. The motorcade winds throughout the racecourse, ensuring that as many pilgrims as possible get a glance of their shepherd - Pope Benedict XVI.
 Spanish Pilgrims Celebrate as Madrid is announced WYD11 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!
 Pope Benedict greets the pilgrims at Randwick 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.
 Many pilgrims prayed all night.
 Pope Benedict XVI at the WYD Evening Vigil Gary Pinto performs 'Behold The Cross' as the WYD Cross & Icon is carried onto the sanctuary and put into position. Just as the young people made their pilgrimage to Randwick today, the presence of the Cross and Icon highlight the culmination of the journey is here. 7.15 Led by representatives from many nations, Pope Benedict XVI is welcomed to the Evening Vigil as he processes behind them onto the sanctuary to lead the congregation in prayer. The Holy Father is looking remarkably fresh after another full day of activity. As at Barangaroo, the stage is awash with bright red, signifying the earthy colours of the land that is the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit, Australia, as well as the fire of the Holy Spirit. Lauren Zolezzi, performs newly commissioned hymn, Our Lady of the Southern Cross. 7.24pm - The Holy Father opens the vigil ceremony, "In the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit."
 Pilgrims stop to pray while crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge 12 30 Walking across the bridge now, near Melbourne pilrgims from St Bernadette's North Sunshine.
 The Last Supper 3 pm Station 1: The Last Supper with a special appearance by the Holy Father 3:18 pm Station 2: The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane where Christ prepares for his death 3:31 pm Station 3: Jesus before the Sanhedrin
 Meeting Pilgrims on the Papal Boat
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.
 Arriving in Sydney: Pope Benedict XVI
Vatican spokesperson, Fr Lombardi has reported just now that the speech given had the ceremony at Government House 'went all well.'
 Leading the way to Barangaroo: Pope Benedict 16th on Sydney Harbour
In a press conference just given by Pope Benedict XVI's, spokesperson, Fr Lombardi reported on the Papal movements. Today, Taronga Zoo took some animals to show the Pope - a koala amongst other fauna - to introduce him to the native Australian wildlife, as Australians are proud of the flora and fauna, that are specific to Australia, said Fr Lombardi. Vatican Press spokesperson, Fr Lombardi reported that the pontiff when offered the koala to hold said "No, you take it, its much safer in your hands, than in mine." As well today, His Holiness gave a blessing to the policemen who are taking care of his security during this period. One policeman who is "gravemente malato di cancro" (gravely sick with cancer) today received a special blessing from the Pontiff and received one rosary. He also had a brief conversation with the Pope. And he tried on the policeman's hat. In the same press conference, one journalist asked about the location of the next WYD, and Fr Lombardi quelled the question saying, wait until the end of WYD to find out. Fr Lombardi, said that WYD will change to become a 'conclusive event' as there will be more attention paid to the preparation period - more WYD events are to be held before the week of official WYD. The sense of his answer was: It will be a big period, with events some months before to be part of WYD as well. Vatican Press spokesperson would not say whether the Pope will speak about clerical sexual abuse. Fr Lombardi told that perhaps the Pope in his first speech will talk tomorrow about the Australian situation, in response to one journalist's question. Tonight the Pope will sleep at the Cardinal's residence of St Mary's Cathedral.
WYD Debating Champions will be crowned tonight as international debaters take on local orators to compete tonight in the final of the 'Papal Plate' debating competition to be held at Sydney University's Great Hall at 8.30pm.
Earlier today at the same location, Cardinal Pell addressed the international students of the world and encouraged them to take the Gospel into public life.
After getting through the semi-final rounds earlier this week of the 'Papal Plate' WYD Debating Competition, three students from Campion College Australia will represent Australia.
Their opposition, three pilgrims from Oxford, England will debate the affirmative stance, 'That God is dead', while the Aussie team debate the negative.
WYD 'PAPAL PLATE' DEBATING COMPETITION FINAL
AUS v UK
The 'Papal Plate' WYD Debating competitions are part Carnivale Christi - the WYD International Young Adult Festival.
Carnivale Christi is also hosting the 'Papal Plate' WYD soccer competition - The winners to be decided tomorrow.
The line up for the semi-finals and finals currently stand as follows:
WYD 'PAPAL PLATE' SOCCER COMPETITION LINEUP
AUS v USA ITALY v LEBANON POLAND v AUSTRIA PERU v THE NETHERLANDS
It will be played on Sydney University's No 1 Oval tomorrow night - no doubt drawing plenty of home crowd support who will cheer their hearts out and bring their flags to wave - filled with the spirit after welcoming Pope Benedict XVI at Barangaroo.
 Bishop Joseph Pepe of Las Vegas
 Dancing with Joy: Pilgrims at Barangaroo 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. |
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