World Youth Day: Pope blesses Australia, urges hope

By Tony Vermeer
July 13, 2008

THE Pope has christened Australia the "great southern land of the Holy Spirit" and urged young people troubled by the state of the world to seek answers in faith.

Pope Benedict made the comments in his official message to Australians and to pilgrims for World Youth Day, released to The Sunday Telegraph to coincide with his arrival today for the week-long Catholic youth festival.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Premier Morris Iemma will meet the 81-year-old when the papal plane touches down at Richmond Air Force Base, on Sydney's northwestern outskirts, at 3pm (AEST) this afternoon.

He will then rest for three days at a rural retreat at nearby Kenthurst before his first appearance at World Youth Day on Thursday in a papal "boat-a-cade" on Sydney Harbour. the rest