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.
 

The Holy Father's schedule is going according to plan.

Vatican spokesperson, Fr Lombardi has reported just now that the speech given had the ceremony at Government House 'went all well.'

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.

Todays txt message from BXVI;

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