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Pope Heads To Australia

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 12, 2008

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI departs today on a 10-day trip to Australia, the longest pilgrimage of his papacy and a test of the 81-year-old pontiff's stamina.

Although aides say the pope is in fine health, the Vatican canceled audiences and meetings, appearing to go out of its way to ensure Benedict is fit for the church's World Youth Day festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of young Catholics.

Upon the pope's arrival in Sydney after more than 20 hours of flying - interrupted only by a 90-minute refueling stop - he will spend three days resting in a Roman Catholic study center in Kenthurst, outside Sydney.

Benedict will be attending World Youth Day, an event generally held every two years. It was begun by his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, who considered it essential for the pope to deliver his message to young people.
World Youth Day will culminate July 20 with an open-air Mass expected to draw about 250,000 pilgrims.

The Associated Press

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