hour to get to Sydney – but it was as if they had travelled to a different world. This was like some great papal city, with the greatest crowds

ever seen in Australia attending Mass, dancing, singing in different languages and wrapped in flags from 170 different nations. This was Catholic World Youth Day 2008. Christians from the shire were among the worshippers, including 15-year-old Max Brown, of Buxton,

who said it was a ‘‘pretty awesome experience’’.

‘‘It’s great seeing all these people here for the same

purpose,’’ he said.

‘‘I think that World Youth Day is a chance to get

together and thank God for everything we have.’’

The parish priest of St Anthony’s Tahmoor, Father John Ho, described World Youth Day as a great unifying experience. ‘‘We are pilgrims and we are all searching for God, especially young people,’’ he told the Advertiser.

‘‘This event is open to all Christian denominations and other religions. ‘‘It is merely hosted by the Catholic

church. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with faith.’’

Some of the pilgrims had two simple words written on banners and T-shirts – ‘‘free hugs.’’

Many took them up on their offer. On Thursday, about 500,000 people crowded Barangaroo for the

first public Mass celebrated by the Pope.

A big screen showing the Holy Father on the boat to the site had people screaming ‘‘Benedicto!’’ – a name they were all familiar with. Thousands of people were pressed

against the fence. Ambulance officers removed a

young girl who fainted. Aboriginal dancers welcomed the

Pope when he arrived.

‘‘In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,’’ were the first words he said when

he stood on stage. ‘‘Where ever you are from, together we stand in our world,’’ Pope Benedict said.

‘‘Christ’s good news is for everyone – there is a number of you still seeking a spiritual home because some of you here today are not Catholic, or even Christian.

‘‘We are called to immerse ourselves in Christ’s love because God gives us everything, including life

and breath to everyone so everyone can succeed in finding him.’’

Pilgrims sat on the shoulders of others to get a better view of the Pope and although many did not

understand the language they cheered every time he stood. There was little public disorder as

many said there would have been. These people were there for one reason – faith. People would randomly yell,

‘‘Viva el Papa,’’ (Long live the Pope). The large crowd would then respond with ‘‘Viva’’ (Long live).

The massive crowds and activities continued until Sunday’s Mass at Randwick Racecouse, which drew

crowds estimated to be almost half a million people.