WYD08 Day 7 photo highlights II (July 21,2008) - Pope Benedict thanked and blessed Australia before going home
By bluepanjeet on Jul 30, 2008 in World Youth Day
Pope Benedict XVI has blessed Australia and its people before leaving after his eight-day stay for World Youth Day (WYD). During a brief farewell ceremony at Sydney airport this morning, the Pope thanked Australia for the warm welcome he had received, and said he had enjoyed his visit. “In characteristic Australian style you have extended a warm welcome to me and to countless pilgrims who have flocked here from every corner of the globe,” he said. “To the families of Australia and New Zealand who have made room for the young people in their homes, I am especially grateful. “You have opened your doors and your hearts to the world’s youth and on their behalf I thank you. “The principal actors on stage these last few days of course have been the young people themselves.
“It is them who have made this a global event, a great celebration of youth and a great celebration of what it is to be the church - the people of God and the world united in faith and love and empowered by the spirit to be witness of the ways of Christ to the ends of the earth.
“I thank them for coming, I thank them for their participation and I pray that they have a safe journey home. “I know these young people, their families and their sponsors have in many cases made great sacrifices to enable them to travel to Australia. “For this the entire church is grateful.”
The Pontiff said there had been many standout moments of his time in Sydney.
“I was deeply moved by my visit to see the Mary MacKillop memorial and I thank the Sisters of St Joseph for the opportunity to pray at the shrine of their co-founder,” he said. “The Stations of the Cross in the streets of Sydney were a powerful reminder that Christ loved us to the end and shared our sufferings so that we could share his joy. “The meeting with young people at Darlinghurst was a moment of joy and great hope, a sign that Christ can lift us out of the most difficult situations, restoring our dignity and enabling us to look forward to a brighter future.” He said the spirit of fraternity had marked his meeting with other church leaders in Australia, while the gatherings at Barangaroo and Randwick “were high points of my visit”.
“Dear friends, as I depart from Sydney, I ask God to look down lovingly on this city, this country and all its inhabitants,” he said. After expressing hope people would be inspired by Mary MacKillop’s example of compassion and service, he said: “And as I bid you farewell with deep gratitude in my heart, I say once again may God bless the people of Australia.” The Pope, speaking from a small dais in front of his plane at Sydney airport, also thanked Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Governor-General Michael Jeffery, the federal and NSW governments, and the business community. Earlier, the Pope blessed car crash survivor Sophie Delezio at an event for thousands of WYD volunteers at the Domain in Sydney.
Among the VIPs on stage were Sophie, her brother Mitchell, and her parents Ron and Carolyn. Seven-year-old Sophie survived an horrific ordeal in 2003 when a car crashed into her Sydney child care centre and caught fire, maiming her and leaving her with severe burns to her body. Then in May 2006, not long after she left hospital, she escaped death again when a car struck her on a pedestrian crossing. Following his official thank you to World Youth Day volunteers today, Pope Benedict greeted and shook hands with those on stage and blessed both Sophie and Mitchell, 8. Afterwards, Sophie said she felt “good” about the Pope’s blessing. Her mother said she could see her daughter’s elation. “I could see from where I was sitting, she was smiling from ear to ear,” Carolyn Delezio said. “She was just aglow and he really held both her hands tight.” The Pope left Sydney about 10.30am on a Qantas flight bound for the Vatican. it is expected to refuel in Darwin before travelling on.
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3 Comment(s)
By satire and theology on Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
condoms, homosexuality and abortion.
Hi Army,
As your Reformed, Presbyterian friend, I realize you are open to non-Catholic views, and I respect you for that fact.
I personally have no interest in using condoms, unless sadly in marriage they are needed for severe health reasons. I have no homosexual desires and pray for those that do, now, that God will show mercy. I do not plan on being involved in abortion as I hope to find a good wife or stay single.
Russ:)
My latest s&t features a short debate.
satire and theologys last blog post..Theology and Christ
[Reply]
By bluepanjeet on Aug 2, 2008 | Reply
yes, I welcome everybody’s views as much as others welcome mine.
Good for you bro. I hope some of our Christian brethren may find the enlightenment.
and yes I will surely go to your site
[Reply]
By felmar fiel, svd on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply
ayun, nakita ko na naman ang red shoes ni papa bene! hehe.
felmar fiel, svds last blog post..CHRIST THE KING THEN AND NOW
[Reply]