Pope Lands in Sydney, by Paola Totaro, Sydney Morning Herald, July 13, 2008

Pope Lands in Sydney

By Paola Totaro
Sydney Morning Herald
July 13, 2008

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world-youth-day/pope-lands-in-sydney/2008/07/13/1215887421428.html

Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Sydney for Catholic World Youth Day celebrations.

The 81-year-old Pontiff's plane touched down at Richmond RAAF base, on Sydney's north-western outskirts, at 3pm

Earlier, in an in-flight press conference conducted less than an hour into the flight, the Pontiff signalled that he will apologise for the suffering of young Australians who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Richmond Airbase and is greeted by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and NSW Premier Morris Iemma.
Photo by Bob Pearce

"We have to see what was insufficient in our behaviour and how we can prevent, and heal, reconcile," he said. "This is the essential content of what we I say . . . to apologise."

Pope Benedict stated categorically the Church's view that sexual abuse was "incompatible with what was required of priests" and also signalled that he would call on young people to apply their spirituality to find solutions to the crisis of climate change.

He said he accepted that the Catholic Church in Europe faced difficulties but refused to admit it was in decline, stating that as God exisits, so religion would always exist and be needed. He said he was an optimist about its future.

Anthony Jones, who spoke on the ABC's Lateline program last Monday about being sexually assaulted by priest Terrence Goodall in 1982, said there was no point in the Pope apologising.

He said he would not enter the technological or political debate about ways to address climate change but called on Catholics to remind themselves that the world is God's creation and "there is an ethical requirement to safeguard God's creatures".

The Pontiff also offered his prayers to the leaders of the Anglican Church, who will discuss at this month's Lambeth Conference the ordination of women and gays, among other issues.

He said he would not offer advice to Anglicans but hoped they would be able to avoid further schisms or any new fractures.

"I hope they find faith in the liturgy and the words of Christ, and there find their answers," he said.

The papal crest was on the pillows and the red carpet rolled out in first class when the Pope touched down on the tarmac in a helicopter and entered the cabin of Flight AZ 4000 to Sydney at Leonardo da Vinci Airport yesterday. The Boeing 777 glistened as if it had just been unwrapped from a gift box.

After 24 hours in a special hangar, its livery polished and fuselage combed by the bomb squad, the jet was ready for its special passenger.

Inside, the papal plane traditionally has a crucifix in place beneath the kneeler, and an enormous basket of flowers in welcome.

Chefs had been at work since 3am preparing the papal meals and the 27-strong official "delegazione" were at the ready behind his holiness. As the Pontiff boarded, Alitalia crew posed for the traditional shots with the Pope.