Sydney, Jul 20, 2008 / 08:18 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- Expressing his thanks for his city being chosen as site for the 2011 World Youth Day, Juan Antonio Martinez, Auxiliary Bishop of Madrid spoke at a press conference today at the Radisson Plaza Hotel after the announcement was made.<br><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/340648656" height="1" width="1"/>

Sydney, Jul 20, 2008 / 07:41 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- The largest ever gathering of US pilgrims at a WYD festival was held yesterday morning at The Domain, one of Sydney’s landmark parks for WYD08.&nbsp;&nbsp; In his homily, Cardinal George spoke of the freedom in surrendering to Christ.<br><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/340641097" height="1" width="1"/>

Sydney, Jul 20, 2008 / 02:36 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- At the Final Mass for World Youth Day in Sydney, Pope Benedict announced that the next World Youth Day would be held in Madrid, Spain in 2011.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/340480931" height="1" width="1"/>

Sydney, Jul 20, 2008 / 02:14 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- The Final Mass concluding World Youth Day celebrations contained a number of distinctive features. First and foremost among the highlights is that it was the largest gathering of people in the history of Australia.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/340473752" height="1" width="1"/>

Sydney, Jul 20, 2008 / 02:04 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- Over 235,000 young pilgrims camped at Randwick Racecourse last night awaiting the final Mass celebrated this morning. While half of the 500,000 who attended the final Mass traveled into the racecourse via public transport, thousands of pilgrims braved the cold to reserve their space for the Mass, pray before the Blessed Sacrament, receive confession and take part in the night’s festivities. <br><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/340623693" height="1" width="1"/>

Sydney, Jul 20, 2008 / 01:55 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- World Youth Day celebrations reached their climatic end on Sunday as Pope Benedict XVI concluded the biggest ever gathering of people in Australia. The Holy Father challenged the youth to bring about a “new age” for humanity by being open to the power of the Holy Spirit and to think about the legacy that they will leave for future generations.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/340465484" height="1" width="1"/>

Sydney, Jul 19, 2008 / 11:32 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- As he made his way to the Evening Vigil at Randwick racecourse on Saturday evening, Pope Benedict paid a brief visit to some of Australia’s retired Church officials, who were delighted by their encounter with the Pontiff.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/339981423" height="1" width="1"/>

Sydney, Jul 19, 2008 / 06:58 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- Alongside the WYD cross and the icon of Mary, and under the "magnificent constellation of the Southern Cross," the Pope delivered a message to pilgrims gathered at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney for the final night of WYD08, inspiring them to offer hope, strive for unity and to transform their families, communities and nations empowered by the Holy Spirit.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/339782581" height="1" width="1"/>

Ottawa, Jul 19, 2008 / 06:57 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- Mr. Natale Gallo, President of the Canadian Association of Knights of Columbus, has called on Canada’s 230,000 Knights to voice their opposition to the awarding of abortionist Hans Morgentaler with the Order of Canada and written a letter to Governor General Michaëlle Jean asking for the decoration to be “immediately rescinded.”<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/339821426" height="1" width="1"/>

Sydney, Jul 19, 2008 / 02:05 am (<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com" target="_self">CNA</a>).- Over 180,000 pilgrims waving national flags and hoisting camping gear are processing through the streets of Sydney city today towards Southern Cross Precinct where the Final Mass for WYD08 will be held. <br><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/339698399" height="1" width="1"/>