Itinerary for July 12-21 Trip Published
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 2, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI has "a tight agenda" for his trip to Australia next month, says the coordinator for the 2008 World Youth Day.
Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney said this in comments to the press Friday upon the Vatican's publication of the Pope's itinerary for the 23rd International World Youth Day, to be held July 15-20 in Sydney, Australia.
The bishop acknowledged that the Pope "has a very tight agenda on his first visit to Australia," and added that many of the meetings were requests from the Holy Father himself.
"He very much wanted some of the specific meetings that have been planned, to connect with the whole spectrum of Australian youth and of the rest of the world," said Bishop Fisher.
Benedict XVI will begin his journey to Australia on Sunday, July 13, at the Richmond Royal Australian Air Force Base, located northwest of Sydney.
He will then spend a few days resting until Thursday.
The first papal public event will be a welcome ceremony July at Sydney's Government House, after which the Holy Father will visit the Blessed Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel.
Sister Mary MacKillop (1842 - 1909), together with Father J.T. Woods, founded the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart. She is the only Australian to be beatified.
Benedict XVI will then visit Sydney's Admiralty House, where he will meet Australia's governor general, Major General Michael Jeffery, and meet with the country's prime minister, Kevin Rudd.
Welcome
In the afternoon, the Pope will travel by car to Sydney's Rose Bay, where he will be welcomed with traditional songs and dances by a group of Aborigines.
He will then board the ship "Sydney 2000" and travel by sea to Barangaroo East Darling Harbor, where the Pontiff will deliver his first address to the youth pilgrims.
On Friday, July 18, the Holy Father will grant three private audiences: to Governor Marie Bashir of New South Wales, Premier Morris Iemma, and Mayor Clover Moore of Sydney.
Benedict XVI will then participate in an ecumenical meeting in the crypt of St. Mary's Cathedral before going on to meet with some 40 representatives of other religions -- including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.
At midday the Holy Father will have lunch with 12 young people in the reception hall of St. Mary's Cathedral.
In the afternoon, the Pope will participate in the Stations of the Cross, which will begin in the square in front of the cathedral. He will read the prayer after the first station, and will then follow the remaining stations on television from the crypt of Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral.
In the evening the Pontiff will meet with a group of disadvantaged youth of the rehabilitation community of the University of Notre Dame. The meeting will be held at the university's Sacred Heart Church in Sydney.
Vigil
On Saturday, July 19, Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral with Australian bishops, seminarians and men and women religious novices, and consecrate the new altar. The Mass will be followed by a luncheon attended by the prelates and the papal entourage.
The Pope will leave St. Mary's at 6:30 p.m. for the World Youth Day vigil at Randwick Racecourse. He will deliver his second address to the youth day pilgrims, and will reflect on the theme of the event, "You Will Receive Power When the Holy Spirit Has Come Upon You; and You Will Be My Witnesses."
Before the closing Mass on Sunday morning, the Pontiff will do a fly-over in a helicopter above the Southern Cross Precinct -- Centennial Park and Randwick Racecourse. Then by popemobile, he will tour the same area.
The final Mass will begin at 10 a.m., during which the Holy Father will give a homily. After the Mass he will recite the midday Angelus.
In the evening, Benedict XVI will meet with the benefactors and organizers of the youth event at St. Mary's Cathedral.
On Monday, July 21, the Pope will thank World Youth Day volunteers gathered at the Domain in Sydney, and then head to Sydney's international airport for a farewell ceremony.
The Pontiff's flight will depart at 10 am, and after a technical stop in Darwin, will head for the Ciampino airport in Rome.
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