Posted: 07.22.08
Msgr. Jude Okolo Thaddeus of Australia bids Pope Benedict XVI farewell at a ceremony at Sydney airport in Australia July 21.
CNS| MARK BAKER, POOL
SYDNEY | Pope Benedict XVI visited with clergy sexual abuse victims, thanked 8,000 World Youth Day volunteers and attended a special farewell ceremony at Sydney International Airport before departing Australia for Rome July 21.
First thing in the morning, the pope attended a private meeting with a small group of Australians who have been victims of sexual abuse by some clergy. The Professional Standards Office of New South Wales nominated four victims to meet the Holy Father after a private Mass with him.
“The Holy Father’s meeting this morning further reinforces the church’s commitment to bringing healing and justice to those who have been so terribly hurt by sexual abuse.” said Cardinal George Pell of Sydney.
Later, the Pope arrived at the Domain in his popemobile to share his thanks with World Youth Day volunteers. Performers Guy Sebastian and Paulini performed for the crowd and special guests including Cardinal Pell, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, members of the papal entourage and Stations of the Cross actors Alfio Stuto (Jesus) and Marina Dixon (Mary).
With World Youth Day coming to an end, Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher reflected on Sydney’s achievements as host city.
“This week the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit has welcomed with open arms 223,000 pilgrims—including over 110,000 from 170 nations, he said. “Although only a week in duration, World Youth Day will resonate in Australian hearts for a long time to come and will forever be remembered in the lives of the young pilgrims.”
At the farewell ceremony, Pope Benedict paused briefly for a final wave to the crowd including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, before entering the Qantas Boeing 747 for the 21–hour journey home.
Shortly after the pope’s departure, World Youth Day organizers released final statistics about the event, sampling of which follows:
PILGRIMS & ATTENDANCE
• 150,000 attended the opening Mass at Barangaroo July 15
• More than 400,000 people attended the final Mass at Randwick Racecourse July 20
• 500,000 people came out to welcome the pope July 17 on the boat–a–cade, official arrival at Barangaroo and subsequent motorcade
• 223,000 people registered for pilgrim services 110,000 international pilgrims representing more than 170 nations, plus 113,000 local pilgrims
AUDIENCE
• Events were watched live by an estimated international TV audience of 500 million, with TV and Internet audiences combined reaching 1 billion
ACTIVITIES
• An average of 2,500 pilgrims walked through the Vocations Expo every hour
• Catechesis was delivered at 235 locations across Sydney in 29 languages
PAPAL FACTS
• The pope sent six daily inspirational text messages
• The pope met six native Australian animals from Taronga Zoo when in Kenthurst — a wallaby, koala, python, lizard, baby crocodile and an echidna
• The pope kissed four small children during his Motorcades
CLERGY
• 4,000 priests and deacons, 420 bishops, 26 cardinals and one pope were present
• 1.1 million Communion hosts were made for the Masses
Compiled in Orlando by Denise O’Toole Kelly of the Florida Catholic staff from press releases, pilgrim reporter dispatches, media reports and other sources.
