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Pope leaves Australia after apologising to sex victims
Argentina News.Net
Sunday 20th July, 2008
The Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, has farewelled the pope at Sydney Airport, after the pontiff's eight-day stay in Australia for World Youth Day.
At the airport Pope Benedict gave his final speech in Australia, thanking all who had attended World Youth Day and blessing all Australians.
Before leaving Sydney for the airport, he thanked the thousands of World Youth Day volunteers for their help during the event.
The pope told volunteers that the celebrations had been a wonderful experience to witness.
On Sunday, four victims of sex abuse by Catholic clergymen were given time with Pope Benedict XVI in a private mass.
The victims and their supporters joined the pope for mass at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney before the pope invited the victims for a private discussion.
The audience was a last-minute addition to the 81-year-old's itinerary while in Australia.
A statement from the Vatican said the pontiff had held the meeting to again demonstrate his deep concern, following his apology to sex abuse victims on Saturday.
The Vatican said the pope had listened to the stories of the victims and had given them consolation.
On Saturday, the pontiff deviated from a prepared homily during a service at St Mary's Cathedral to add an apology to minors who had suffered abuse at the hands of clergy and said those responsible should be brought to justice.
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