Sedoc: Pope prepares to participate in World Youth Day celebration

(16 July,2008):- Pope prepares to participate in World Youth Day celebration

In Australia, Pope Benedict XVI on Wed evening left Kenthurst Study Center on the outskirts of Sydney, where he had been resting since his arrival from Rome on Sunday ,(July 13) ,and moved to the residence of St. Mary’s Cathedral to get ready to participate in the World Youth Day - WYD on Thursday. The Pope is scheduled to receive a traditional Aboriginal welcome ,and tour Sydney’s harbour by boat before delivering a major address to over 125 thousand young pilgrims, who are eagerly awaiting his arrival. WYD had already begun officially on July 15 with an opening Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Sydney - Cardinal George Pell in Bangarooo. A papal Mass on Sunday before thousands of pilgrims at a Racetrack in Sydney is scheduled to end the 15- 20 July WYD celebrations. Earlier on Tuesday morning, the Holy Father sent his first SMS to thousands of World Youth Day supporters across Australia. The message read: "Young friend, God and his people expect much from u because u have within u the Fathers supreme gift: the Spirit of Jesus - BXVI." The friendly message was written in typical youthful style with abbreviations of the alphabet u for you . According to the Australian communications company, Telstra, the Pope will send daily messages to those who subscribe to the service. Additionally, the company has built base stations around Sydney to allow WYD participants to contact family and friends, during the papal event.