Elsewhere in Sydney, the excitement of previous festival days continued yesterday, with pilgrims celebrating at about 150 events, including concerts, barbecues and candlelight vigils. At Hyde Park, traditional dancers from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Polynesia and indigenous Australians entertained crowds of up to 60,000 throughout the afternoon, while up to 10,000 Italian pilgrims gathered at the Sydney Convention Centre for a meeting broadcast live to Italy. But when it came to feeding the masses, loaves and fishes made way for meat pies and lamingtons. The best of Australia was on display yesterday as 150,000 young Catholics jammed into Barangaroo for the World Youth Day Opening Mass. And it wasn’t just Sydney Harbour that had pilgrims excited – but the chance to sample some good old-fashion Aussie tucker.While there was chicken noodle soup and hot chocolate to keep the hunger pains away, it was the meat pies and lamingtons that had them praying for more. Sweet-toothed pilgrims also indulged in Caramello Koalas, Cherry Ripes, caramel slices and mandarins.

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MORE OF WYD ON TODAYS’ LIVE BROADCAST HERE @ OTWOMD AT EXACTLY 12:30 PM MANILA TIME AS SYDNEY AND THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD WELCOMES POPE BENEDICT XVI