4:30 pm The sun is slowly setting behind Balmain as the opening Mass for WYD  gets underway.

The Barangaroo precinct appears to be completely full, with reports that some pilgrims are unable to get inside.

5:00 pm The sun has just set and already the temperature is heading south with a chill in the air as the Mass' readings are read in various languages.

5:10 pm The first reading speaks of life being breathed into the spiritual desert, with analogies for our modern world and country.

Cardinal Pell today wears the cross and ring of Archbishop Polding, the first Archbishop of Sydney and Australia.

5:30 Cardinal Pell's Sermon: "The second reading. You young pilgrims can look ahead to the future stretching out before you so rich in promise... produce an abundant harvest a hundred fold crop...Where do you stand? Are you ready to move... if we take Gods hand he will do the rest. Trust, trust is the key God will not fail us. "

A capacity crowed is confirmed with 143,000 people in attendance at Barangaroo, with the police closing the gates and not letting any more pilgrims in. The Mass is also  being broadcast on large TV screens at other locations such as the Domain.

5:40 Cardinal Pell's Sermon cont.: "Don't spend your life sitting on the fence, keeping your options open, because only commitments bring fluffiness... Many have found their lives calling at World Youth Days."

"And so I pray. Come, come O Breath of God, from the four winds, from all the nations and peoples of the earth and bless our Great South Land of the Holy Spirit.

Empower us also to be another great and immense army of humble servants and faithful witnesses.
And we make this prayer to God our Father in the name of Christ his Son. Amen. Amen."

6:05 Behind the altar various cruise boats and ferries can be seen going back and forth.

The Our Father is sung in Latin.

6:10 Around the crowd various pilgrims are now wearing reflective "space" blankets in an attempt to keep warm.

The "Lamb of God" is introduces with a very moving clarinet solo backed by strings and harp.

 6:15 What appears to be a small Australian Navy vessel can be seen bobbing up and down behind the alter, over head helicopters can be heard buzzing.

At the end of the crescendo to various hymns the sound can be heard reverbing for many seconds off the buildings of the city to the south of Barangaroo.

Pilgrims from around the world receive Communion from the Cardinal as Holy Communion is given out the the immense crowd.

6:30 Song of thanksgiving sung by young Maori of Aetorea.

6:40 Cardinal Rylko from Poland, headof the Pontifical Council for the Laity, officially opens WYD,“choose to become true disciples of Christ, missionaries of hisgospels.” The largest two cheers of the night so far came whenCardinal Rylko said the theme for WYD “You will receive power whenthe Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses."And then when he spoke of Pope Benedict's imminent arrival.Experience a new Pentecost here in Sydney. “Open your hearts tothe Holly Spirit... Be always docile to the voice of the HolySpirit.”

6:45 The final hymn is the WYD themesong sung first in Italian. Across the crowd pilgrims are now wavingtheir flags in time with the song.

7:00 pm Pilgrims are now lining up for food. On the main stage, below the altar various acts are performing. Aboriginal performers with a thumping back beat had many pilgrims dancing, and conga lines of people snaking their way through the crowd. Following is the Qantas children's choir. Numerous other acts are lined up until approximately 10pm, including Guy Sebastian who co-wrote the WYD theme song.   

Image courtesy of WYD 2008 ACN 118060987 as Trustee for the World Youth Day 2008 Trust ABN 74 422 698 032