Pope to open Australia’s first pilgrim centre in Rome
(Oct. 12, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI will officially open next Wednesday ( 19 Oct.)
Australia’s first pilgrim centre in Rome. The invitation to the Pope to open
this new centre called “Domus Australia” was extended by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop
of Sydney. The Cardinal said "This is a significant development in the history of
the Catholic Church in Australia. Most Australian Catholics have a great loyalty to
the Pope and the Vatican, and this pilgrim house will strengthen these links." The
initiative of Cardinal Pell was supported by Dioceses across Australia. “Domus
Australia” was formerly the student house of the Marist Fathers in Rome. Purchased
by the Australian Catholic Church in March 2009, the imposing nineteenth century building
which comes with its own chapel, is located a short distance from Rome's central railway
station, Stazione Termini. .Many invited guests travelling from Australia will be
present for the special event. Cardinal Pell said “One of our ambitions will be to
have a priest attached to the chapel and Mass will be celebrated everyday in English."
The pilgrim centre will provide affordable accommodation for about 80 Australian
pilgrims and tourists to Rome. More than 60,000 Australians visit the Eternal City
each year and Domus Australia will be their home away from home., said Cardinal Pell.