The Pope Down Under

In April, Pope Benedict XVI made his first apostolic journey to the United States, in a whirlwind five-day, two-city (Washington, D.C., and New York City) trip. For his first apostolic journey to Australia, he quite wisely planned a few extra days to recover from the lengthy trip. While the Holy Father arrived in Australia on Sunday, July 13, his first public appearance (a welcoming ceremony at the Government House in Sydney) was held on Thursday, July 17.

The occasion of Pope Benedict's journey was World Youth Day 2008. While the actual date of the triennial event is Sunday, July 20, because of the difference in time zones, Europeans and Americans following World Youth Day could watch the Papal Mass (the highlight of the event) on Saturday, July 19.

While his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, was especially beloved by young people, Pope Benedict's two World Youth Days have been attended by enthusiastic throngs of pilgrims. According to the Times of London, "nearly half a million worshippers turned up for the final Mass."

Pope Benedict's homily at the Mass struck similar themes to those he addressed during his visit to the United States, especially at his Mass in Washington, D.C.. Taking his cue from the fact that the Sacrament of Confirmation would be celebrated at the World Youth Day Mass, the Holy Father recalled Christ's promise, fulfilled at Pentecost, to send the Holy Spirit upon His disciples. "May the fire of God’s love," he told the assembled youth, "descend to fill your hearts, unite you ever more fully to the Lord and his Church, and send you forth, a new generation of apostles, to bring the world to Christ!"

"The power of the Spirit," Pope Benedict pointed out, "is the power of God's life." It transforms the bread and wine at each Mass into the Eucharist, but it also "transform our lives, to make us, in his power, 'one body, one spirit in Christ.'"

That power comes to us through the sacraments, because the life of God is grace, which "is not something we can merit or achieve, but only receive as pure gift." We must prepare ourselves to receive it, however, and the best way to do so is by an active prayer life, because "Prayer is pure receptivity to God’s grace, love in action, communion with the Spirit who dwells within us, leading us, through Jesus, in the Church, to our heavenly Father."

If we accept the grace of the Holy Spirit, Pope Benedict explained, it will renew our lives, and through us renew the world, as "all of us, burning with the fire and love of the Holy Spirit, go forth to proclaim the Risen Christ and to draw every heart to him!"