World Youth Day celebrations will culminate today with organisers expecting up to 500,000 people at the final mass, to be led by Pope Benedict XVI. The faithful began streaming into Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park precinct yesterday, many after a 9km pilgrimage through the city, all eager for a prime position for the mass, which starts at 10am (AEST). The massive main stage is flanked by giant TV screens, reminiscent more of a rock concert than a religious service. The pontiff will fly over the site in a helicopter before touring through the crowds of people in the popemobile on his way to the stage. He will deliver the homily and a separate address during the service, which will also see the confirmation of 24 young people.

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Around 180,000 of those attending the final service made the 9km pilgrimage to the site from North Sydney yesterday. They took part in a late night vigil before braving the cold to sleep out under the stars. Addressing the vigil, the Pope said he was “filled with joy” to be with the pilgrims. Some slept on air mattresses, others just on a ground sheet with their sleeping bag, but all depended on the fires of faith to keep them warm on a chilly winter night. South African pilgrim Shane Govender, 16, said it was a great opportunity to worship together. “It’s touching, so many people of the same age praying together,” he said. “It makes me feel so proud of us when so many other people our age are into drugs, smoking or drinking.” The Pope will return to St Mary’s Cathedral after the mass, attending a meeting with the benefactors and organisers of World Youth Day later this evening.

WYD CLOSING MASS WITH POPE BENEDICT XVI (4 HOURS)
XXIII WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008
Randwick Racecourse – Southern Cross Precinct
July 20, 2008 7:00AM Manila Time
(7PM EST / 4PM PCT / 9AM AEST)

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BLOG COVERAGE UPDATED BY THE MINUTE (All times based on Manila timezone [+8:00]. Sydney is 2 hours ahead of Manila)

• 6:51 AM – Pope’s Helicopter hovering over the Randwick Racecourse

• 7:26 AM – Pope’s mobile is going rounds in the Randwick Racecourse. Thousands of Pilgrims are there again

• 7:57 AM – The Concelebrated Closing Mass begins with hundreds of Cardinals and bishops

• 8:10 AM – George Cardinal Pel speaks his message to Pope Benedict XVI. He mentioned “Holy Father, join in us in prayer as we ask for rain in other parts of Australia” referring to the drought experienced in the country.

• 8:33 AM – Gospel Acclamation is sung by Aboriginal Tribes. The Gospel is carried by aborigenes and is dancing in the very beautiful song of the Maoris in Praise of the Gospel

• 8:39 AM – Gospel of Luke is proclaimed and chanted (Luke 4:16-22)

• 8:43 AM – George Cardinal Pell presents to Benedict XVI the candidates for the confirmation coming from different countries like Bolivia, Australa, Vietnam, South Africa, New Zealand, Usa, Mexico, Switzerland, Uruguay, Czech Republic, Germany, Singapore, and Fiji Islands.

• 8:45 AM – Pope Benedict XVI reads her Homily.

• 9:03 AM – Holy Father’s homily ends. Silence was asked for reflection of the homily.

• 9:06 AM – Confirmation Rites begins. Benedict XVI reads from the liturgy

• 9:09 AM – Confirmation candidates walaks towards the alter for the rites. Pope anoints the candidates with holyChrism as part of the integrated confirmation in the High Mass.

• 9:18 AM – Prayer of the Faithful read by International Pilgrims

• 9:29 AM – Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the offertory of the bread and wine by Pope Benedict XVI

• 10:20 AM – Pope Benedict gives his final message

• 10:20 AM – George Cardinal Pell delivers his speech of Gratitude for the Pope

• 10:31 AM – An Unknown bishop gives a thanksgiving speech to Pope Benedict XVI

• 10:41 AM – Pope gives his final address

• 10:55 AM – Concluding Mass ends