Pope Benedict XVI dedicates the new altar at St Mary's Cathedral

Departing from his official homily, the Holy Father said: “Indeed, I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured, and I assure them that as their Pastor, I too share in their suffering,” a WYD08 press release has since reported.

During the Holy Mass with the consecration of the new altar, the Pontiff addressed the congregation of Australian Bishops, seminarians and novices reminding them that like the new altar, they are also 'consecrated' and "set 'apart' for the service of God and the buiding of his Kingdom."

"Each of you has embarked on the greatest and most glorious of all struggles , to be consecrated in truth, to grow in virtue, to achieve harmony between your thoughts and ideals, and with your words and actions," he said in his official homily. 

He directed them to enter deeply into their programs of disciplinary and spiritual formation, to be faithful to both personal and liturgical prayer, through which they will be "nourished by meditation on the inspired word of God."

"The Fathers of the Church loved to see the Scriptures as a spiritual Eden," he explained, "a garden where we can walk freely with God, admiring the beauty and harmony of his saving plan as it bears fruit in our lives, in the life of the Church and in all history."

He advised them to make the daily celebration of the Eucharist the centre of their life.

"At each Mass, when the Lord's Body and Blood are lifted up at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, lift up your own hearts and lives, through Christ, with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, as a loving sacrifice to God our Father," he continued.

“Dear young seminarians and religious, you yourselves will become living altars, where Christ’s sacrificial love is made present as an inspiration and a source of spiritual nourishment to everyone you meet.”

After this historic dedication of the altar and celebrating Holy Mass, Pope Benedict XVI had lunch with 50 current and retired Australian Bishops ahead of this evening's Vigil. 

Meanwhile, in Terrey Hills (a northern Sydney suburb), more than 350 cardinals and bishops from overseas enjoyed a lunch hosted by the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.

Tonight's outdoor papal vigil will be held at Southern Cross Precinct, to which thousands of pilgrims are currently processing in flocks.  It is due to begin at 7pm [AEST].

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