(From our correspondents in Sydney) – "There have been some criticisms about the organisation but we are satisfied at the way we have been receiving the pilgrims in Sydney on this first day". In an exclusive interview with SIR, Morris Iemma, Prime Minister of New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, thinks the problems that there have been over the last few days have been overcome, for instance the problem of the visas for the Iraqis and Burmese, and highlights that the city is standing up well to the first massive wave of pilgrims. "The WYD he goes on is a great opportunity to show to the world that our city is global, generous and very friendly and that Australia is an example of how to live in peace in a country where there are many different religions and cultures". According to Iemma, whose family was originally from Italy, there’s of course the pride of hosting "a great catholic event" that has taken the Holy Father and many young pilgrims to Australia.
