(From our Sydney correspondents) – Record turnout today at Barangaroo for the opening Mass of the 23rd WYD in Sydney. According to official estimates provided by the Organizing Committee, 143,000 pilgrims were present. The ceaseless flow of kids towards the area where Mass was celebrated, obliged Police to close off entry points, leaving thousands of people out. At this point, according to Jim Hanna, WYD Communications Director, for Benedict XVI’s greeting ceremony "between 400 and 500 thousand faithful are expected. At Bangaroo it should be the same as today, 143,000 people; for everybody else, mega screens will be set up in the most important landmarks, such as the Opera House and Domain. This kind of turnout makes us happy but we must face further organizational challenges to allow everybody to take part in these long-awaited events".
