Blessing The Crowd: Pope Benedict XVI

He disembarked and stepped up into the Pope mobile that had beenbrought out especially for WYD to accompany him and slowly made it tothe sanctuary and over to the Papal chair.

"Christ's good news is for everyone, it has reached the ends of theearth" was the message of the Holy Father today, during his homily -his first public address to the pilgrims of the world in Australia.

The Pope reached out to people seeking a 'spiritual homeland'.

He offered his encouragement to "step forward into Christ's lovingembrace, recognise the church as your home. No one need remain on theoutside," he exclaimed in a comforting Christian manner.

In acknowledging Australia's Catholic heritage, the Holy Father paidtribute to the young Priests, sisters and brothers who came toAustralia, nearly 200 years ago, from Ireland, France, Britan andelswhere in Europe to bear their lives to a Christian witness.

"These young people became the humble but tenacious builders of so muchof the social and spiritual heritage which still today brings goodness,compassion and purpose to these natoins."

MODERN SOCIETY: A Papal Perspective

The profound words of His Holiness's homily came when he referenced the modern day culture of relativism.

He reminded young people that life is "not random", but rather "It is asearch for the good the true and the beautiful" he announced.

He dwelt on this saying that without God at the centre of your life, its not real life.

"Life is not just a succession of events or experiences, helpful though many of them are".

"It is a search for the true, the good and the beautiful. It is to thisend that we make our choices; it is for this that we exercise ourfreedom; it is in this - in truth, in goodness, and in beauty - that wefind happiness and joy".

"Do not be fooled by those that see you as just another consumer in amarket of undifferentiated possibilities, where choice itself becomesthe good, novelty usurps beauty, and subjective experience displacestruth", explained the pontiff.

His Holiness spoke emphatically on the need for God in public life.

"There are many who claim that God should be left on the sidelines andthat religion and faith, while fine for individuals, should either beexcluded from the public forum altogher or included only in the pursuitof limited pragmatic goals.

"This sercularist vision" he continued "seeks to explain human life andshape society with little or no reference to the Creator.... If God isirrelevant in public life, then society will be shaped in a godlessimage, and debate in policy concerning the public good will be drivenmore by consequences than by principles grounded in truth."

IN THE CONTEXT OF TODAY'S SOCIETY

Touching on today's social environment, the Pope stressed that thedignity of every individual rests on his or her deepest identity - asan image of the creator - [God].

He continued in saying that "human rights are universial, based onnatural law, and not something dependant on negotiation or patronage,let alone comprise".

He questioned how it could be that domestic violence continues totorment so many mothers and children and how "the most wonderous andsacred human space - the womb - has become a place of unutterableviolence."

In closing the Pope reminded the assembled pilgrims that their missionis to 'bear witness' and that they were created anew through Baptismand strengthened through the gifts of the spirit at Confirmation'.

Overjoyed by his presence, thousands of pilgims and Sydneysiders alikewere lining the streets after the liturgy to catch a glimpse of thePontiff during the Papal Motorcade.

The Pontiff has now been officially welcomed by the pilgrims of the world to Sydney for the occasion of the 23rd WYD.

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