(From our correspondents in Sydney) "We welcome you among us as a man of faith and of prayer, eager for culture and illustrious teacher, who for decades has entered into dialogue with other representatives of our pluralist democracies", said the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, in welcoming Benedict XVI a short time ago at Barangaroo. The Pope had just arrived at the city’s old harbour, where he was greeted by a young and festive crowd. "We welcome you continued Cardinal Pell as priest and as bishop. But even more so we welcome you as successor of Peter, the rock on which Jesus founded his Church. In loyalty and prayer we welcome you as Pope and Bishop of Rome". "In our brief history Australian Catholics have generally been strong supporters of the Pope. This gladdens us", added the cardinal, recalling "with great love and admiration" Benedict XVI’s predecessor, John Paul II the Great, who established the tradition of World Youth Day and twice visited us in Australia". "Your Holiness the cardinal concluded , you are among friends. And not only among sons and daughters, brothers and sisters of Catholic faith, but also among friends who have come from every corner of the country and especially from other Christian communities".
