Anglican Church representative Reverend Robert Forsythe told the meeting the pontiff had helped unify the various Christian denominations. “Following your own example we gladly greet you as our fellow Christian brother,” Reverend Forsythe said. “We welcome the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church on many issues …. your church has provided us with a rock in the rapids and a windbreak in this world to help us.” He said there were still serious differences between the two churches. “But that doesn’t stop us loving each other and respecting each other and this kind of thing expresses physically the reality that we want to greet the other’s fellow brother in Christ,” he said.

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Anglican youth representative Nat Smith, 18, was one of more than 50 in the assembly to shake hands with the Pope at the end of the meeting. “I said ‘have a nice day and enjoy your time here’,” Mr Smith told AAP. “I think he is just a man, he’s a very special man, he has his own country, which is pretty cool, but it was an honour to be able to represent Sydney Anglicans to him.” Catholic youth representative Mick Scollon, 20, said Christians needed to celebrate their strengths. “As Christians we are meant to live a religious life and to help others and I do think we need to do that a lot more,” he said. “I’d like to see a lot more (World Youth Day) pilgrims helping each other, even helping the homeless as opposed to just going out and having fun.”

Armenian Orthodox Archbishop Aghan Baliozian said the ecumenical meeting was important for Christian unity in Australia, which had many ethnic and orthodox churches. “This respect paid to the leaders of the Christian churches shows His Holiness’ love and an attitude towards unity,” he said. Meanwhile, pilgrims hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pope will be pleased to know that the pontiff and his Pope Mobile will be traveling at a slower pace on Sunday than on Super Thursday.