Sydney to London Without a Plane by Lorna_North

Is The Pope A Catholic?

Jul2520084:11 a.m.

Is The Pope A Catholic?

 

Last week, Pope Benedict XVI came to Sydney for the World Youth Day celebrations. 

 

I must confess, I wasn't aware of what a huge event this was for Catholics across the world until I found my self swamped in a sea of young pilgrims whilst walking to work.

 

There were teenage Catholics draped in national flags, sporting World Youth Day merchandise like caps and rucksacks clapping through the streets of Sydney.

 

Around half a million people attended the closing ceremony mass given by the Pope at Randwick on the final Sunday after a cold night of camping.

 

The roads in the central business district were closed to accommodate these chirpy, joyful youths as they greeted and smiled at all the slightly bemused non-religious Sydneysiders who couldn't work out why they were so happy.

 

It was quite the phenomenon. Thousands and thousands of teenagers all speaking different languages had come to Sydney to "make a pilgrimage in faith and experience the love of God".

 

A pretty major occasion, especially considering the Pope himself had travelled all the way from Vatican City to cruise around Sydney in his bullet proof Pope Mobile showing his gratitude to the youngsters' support for the Catholic Church, also apologising for the sexually deviant clergyman.

 

Naturally such a huge religious festival was not without its opposition with anti-Catholic protestors speaking out for the rights of homosexuals, unwanted pregnancies and marital values. 

 

A "No To Pope" coalition caused a bit of a stand against Catholicism.  Atheist and secular groups produced anti-Pope T-Shirts which caused such a stir that the government issued a $5,500 fine for anyone who tried to sabotage the event.

 

T-shirt slogans included:

 

"My Imaginary Friend is Better Than Yours"

"I was Touched by the Catholic Church, so Where's my Two Billion?"

 "$5,500, A Small Price to Pay for Annoying Catholics"

 

And

 

"Oh No, I Stepped in Dogma"

 

Still the youth seemed to have a great time and despite there being an excess of half a million visitors to the city, it never felt overcrowded or hectic. 

 

What was strange for someone of neither Catholic or religious position was the undeniable calming effect the arrival of the pilgrim's had on the city. It was in no way quiet- those kids can sing- but, at risk of using a religious cliché- the city just seemed a bit more "joyful" than usual.

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