” “"On the stage, in previous days, the main actors were obviously the young themselves. World Youth Day belongs to them", said Benedict XVI, in the farewell ceremony at Sydney International Airport, before he left for his flight back to Rome. It was the young, stressed the Pope, who had "turned this Day into an ecclesial event of global character, a great celebration of youth, a great celebration of what the Church should be, the People of God in the midst of the world, united in faith and in love, and empowered by the Spirit to bear witness to the risen Christ to the ends of the earth". "I wish to thank them for coming. I wish to thank them for their participation, and I pray they have a safe journey home continued the Pope . I know that the young, their families and friends in many cases made great sacrifices to enable them to come to Australia. For all this the whole Church is grateful to them". After having thanked the civil and military authorities, business leaders, the population and the Australian and New Zealand families who had given hospitality to the young people during WYD, the Holy Father briefly recalled the "significant scenes" of "these exciting days". (to be continued)” “
