Well… World Youth Day is over… the bags are packed, Randwick is being cleaned up, the Media Centre is almost empty, hotels are being emptied, Sydney is returning to its usual stage – but this city will not be the same after this last week. Before coming, we heard about how the local Australian media ...read more

On Saturday morning, on the way to the Southern Cross Precinct (Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park) where the World Youth Day Evening Vigil and Closing Mass were to take place, pilgrims had to pass through seven “Power Stations”. Each one represented one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Courage, ...read more

After praying the Angelus, Pope Benedict had a special announcement: “The time has come for me to say good-bye – or rather, to say arrivederci! I thank you all for your participation in World Youth Day 2008, here in Sydney, and I look forward to seeing you again in three years’ time. World Youth Day ...read more

The following is the Holy Father’s Angelus address, delivered at the conclusion of the Final Mass at Randwick Raceway, and just prior to the recitation of the Angelus prayer. Dear Young Friends, In the beautiful prayer that we are about to recite, we reflect on Mary as a young woman, receiving the Lord’s summons to ...read more

The following are the concluding words at the Final Mass addressed to Pope Benedict XVI by the president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Cardinal Stanis?aw Ry?ko. Holy Father, The twenty-third World Youth Day is drawing to a close. Here before you are the young pilgrims who have come from every corner of the ...read more

The following is the Holy Father’s homily from the Final Mass at the Southern Cross Precinct at Randwick Raceway on Sunday morning. Dear Friends, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8). We have seen this promise fulfilled! On the day of Pentecost, as we heard in the first reading, ...read more

More pictures below…. All photos courtesy of WYD2008/Getty Images ...read more

The following is the Holy Father’s address to the young people at the Evening Vigil. Dear Young People, Once again this evening we have heard Christ’s great promise – “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you”. And we have heard his summons – “be my witnesses throughout the world” – ...read more

The following is the Holy Father’s text from the Saturday altar dedication celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral, in Sydney. Dear Brothers and Sisters, In this noble cathedral I rejoice to greet my brother Bishops and priests, and the deacons, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of Sydney. In a very special way, my greeting goes ...read more

If I can’t go on the Media Climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge, what am I going to do for 2 hours? This was my dilemma Saturday morning as Pedro, Wally, Richard and Fr. Stefano did the Media Climb. Only four from our team were allowed, and I was the fifth! While they were gone ...read more