Pope Benedict Bound for Australia and WYD 2008

(12 July 08 - RV) In one and a half hour’s time Pope Benedict XVI leaves Rome on his ninth apostolic trip outside Italy.

The Holy Father is on his way to Sydney, Australia for 23 World Youth Day celebrations.

The Pope's plane is due to land at Darwin in northern Australia Sunday. After a brief stopover, the flight will continue to Richmond airbase near Sydney, in the Australian state of New South Wales, where the Holy Father is expected to land at 3 p.m. local time.

Descending from the aircraft, the Pope will be greeted on the tarmac by Kevin Rudd, prime minister of Australia, Cardinal George Pell, archbishop of Sydney, and other civil and religious authorities.

He will then travel by car to the Kenthurst Study Centre, a private house for retreats and formation belonging to the Prelature of Opus Dei, where he will spend the time privately until the evening of Wednesday 16 July.

On the morning of Thursday 17 July, the Pope's visit to Australia will officially begin with the welcome ceremony in the presence of the authorities at Government House in Sydney, where he will deliver his first discourse.

We spoke to Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney ahead of Pope Benedict’s arrival.

Cardinal Pell praised the federal governments aid and involvement in preparations over the past 4 years. He also described how the journey of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon across Oceania has sparked a reawakening of the faith among young and old alike.