Maltese group attends closing ceremony

A group of about 100 young Maltese men and women yesterday joined another 400,000 young people from all over the world in Sydney, Australia for a Mass said by Pope Benedict XVI to conclude World Youth Day.

Archbishop Paul Cremona was among those who concelebrated Mass. He also led the Maltese contingent who helped to transport people with disabilities out of the venue after the event. Randwick Racecourse, where the Mass was said, was described as a sea of colours and flags of all nations and a huge celebration of faith and unity.

During the homily, Pope Benedict said he had gone to Australia to confirm young men and women in their faith. He encouraged them to leave a legacy of faith to the generations to come in order to combat the spiritual desert spreading in many societies, side by side with material prosperity. At one point, 300 protestors from the NoToPope coalition, who attended to criticise the Pope's stance on contraceptives and homosexuality, among other issues, were met with a loud chorus of thousands of pilgrims singing "Benedetto, Benedetto..."