VATICAN CITY, 21 JUL 2008 (VIS) - Following his meeting with World Youth Day volunteers at The Domain in Sydney, the Holy Father travelled by car to the city's international airport where the departure ceremony took place.
On his arrival at the airport, the Pope was welcomed by Michael Jeffery, governor general of Australia, by Kevin Rudd, prime minister, and by civic leaders of New South Wales society. Among the religious authorities present were Archbishop Philip Edward Wilson of Adelaide, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Cardinal George Pell, archbishop of Sydney, and Bishop Anthony Fisher, the World Youth Day co-ordinator.
In his remarks, the Pope thanked those present for the hospitality he had been shown during his time in Australia, "In characteristic Australian style", he said, "you have extended a warm welcome to me and to countless young pilgrims who have flocked here from every corner of the globe".
"The principal actors on the stage over these last few days, of course, have been the young people themselves. World Youth Day is their day. It is they who have made this a global ecclesial event, a great celebration of youth and a great celebration of what it is to be the Church, the people of God throughout the world, united in faith and love and empowered by the Spirit to bear witness to the risen Christ to the ends of the earth".
Recalling the events of the previous days, the Pope said he had been "deeply moved" by his visit to the Mary MacKillop Memorial, and he thanked the Sisters of St. Joseph "for the opportunity to pray at the Shrine of their co-foundress. The stations of the Cross in the streets of Sydney", he went on, "were a powerful reminder that Christ loved us 'to the end' and shared our sufferings so that we could share His glory.
"The meeting with the young people at Darlinghurst", Pope Benedict added, "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. The meeting with ecumenical and inter-religious leaders was marked by a spirit of genuine fraternity and a deep desire for greater collaboration in building a more just and peaceful world.
"And without doubt, the gatherings at Barangaroo and Southern Cross were high-points of my visit. Those experiences of prayer, and our joyful celebration of the Eucharist, were an eloquent testimony to the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit, present and active in the hearts of our young people. World Youth Day has shown us that the Church can rejoice in the young people of today and be filled with hope for the world of tomorrow", he concluded.
The ceremony over, the Pope boarded his aircraft which flew to the Australian city of Darwin for a refuelling stop before continuing the journey to Rome, where his flight is due to arrive at Ciampino airport at 11 p.m. From there the Holy Father will be taken by car to the pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo.
PV-AUSTRALIA/DEPARTURE/SYDNEY VIS 20080721 (530)
On his arrival at the airport, the Pope was welcomed by Michael Jeffery, governor general of Australia, by Kevin Rudd, prime minister, and by civic leaders of New South Wales society. Among the religious authorities present were Archbishop Philip Edward Wilson of Adelaide, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Cardinal George Pell, archbishop of Sydney, and Bishop Anthony Fisher, the World Youth Day co-ordinator.
In his remarks, the Pope thanked those present for the hospitality he had been shown during his time in Australia, "In characteristic Australian style", he said, "you have extended a warm welcome to me and to countless young pilgrims who have flocked here from every corner of the globe".
"The principal actors on the stage over these last few days, of course, have been the young people themselves. World Youth Day is their day. It is they who have made this a global ecclesial event, a great celebration of youth and a great celebration of what it is to be the Church, the people of God throughout the world, united in faith and love and empowered by the Spirit to bear witness to the risen Christ to the ends of the earth".
Recalling the events of the previous days, the Pope said he had been "deeply moved" by his visit to the Mary MacKillop Memorial, and he thanked the Sisters of St. Joseph "for the opportunity to pray at the Shrine of their co-foundress. The stations of the Cross in the streets of Sydney", he went on, "were a powerful reminder that Christ loved us 'to the end' and shared our sufferings so that we could share His glory.
"The meeting with the young people at Darlinghurst", Pope Benedict added, "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. The meeting with ecumenical and inter-religious leaders was marked by a spirit of genuine fraternity and a deep desire for greater collaboration in building a more just and peaceful world.
"And without doubt, the gatherings at Barangaroo and Southern Cross were high-points of my visit. Those experiences of prayer, and our joyful celebration of the Eucharist, were an eloquent testimony to the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit, present and active in the hearts of our young people. World Youth Day has shown us that the Church can rejoice in the young people of today and be filled with hope for the world of tomorrow", he concluded.
The ceremony over, the Pope boarded his aircraft which flew to the Australian city of Darwin for a refuelling stop before continuing the journey to Rome, where his flight is due to arrive at Ciampino airport at 11 p.m. From there the Holy Father will be taken by car to the pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo.
PV-AUSTRALIA/DEPARTURE/SYDNEY VIS 20080721 (530)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment