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	Pope Touches Australian Soil By Michelle Cazzulino Daily Telegraph July 13, 2008 http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24012471-5001021,00.html POPE Benedict has arrived in Darwin only hours away from disembarking in Sydney, urging Catholics help fight global warming. The Pontiff has begun his first ever visit to Australia by urging the world's catholics to become leaders in promoting climate change action. The Holy Father, who has just touched down in Darwin, also discussed the issue of clergy sexual abuse, outlining his intention to apologise to the victims to promote healing and reconciliation within the church. Wearing his customary white robe and red shoes, Pope Benedict made the 21-hour journey to Australia from Rome arriving just after 9am. During an inflight address to the 44-members of the international media, he said he hoped his visit to World Youth Day would prompt Catholics to look at the church's teachings in relation to the importance of the planet. He also called on them to do more to protect the environment. "(We must) rediscover the earth in the face of the creator...(and) find within ourselves the ability to change our lifestyles, it's necessary, to respond to these great challenges," he said. He also leant his support to leaders of the Church of England gathered at the Lambeth Conference who are discussing issues of homosexuality and the ordination of female Bishops. "With my prayers I'll be very close to the Anglican bishops who are meeting there," he said. The papal plane will travel on to Sydney within the next two hours where the pope will disembark at the RAAF Military Airbase in Richmond. His arrival will be closed to the public.
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