Hundreds welcome World Youth Day cross as it begins Australian tour

Published: 2007-07-02

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- Hundreds of youth, clergy and laity watched the World Youth Day cross and icon of Mary and Jesus pass from young New Zealanders to youth representatives from every Australian diocese. Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Australian Prime Minister John Howard and New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma were among those gathered to welcome the symbols July 1 inside a lofty Sydney airport hangar where the more than 12-foot-high World Youth Day cross was framed against the bulk of a Qantas jumbo jet. Archbishop Wilson said that for more than 20 years, the icon and cross had traveled the world "bringing the message of hope, peace and Christ's love for humanity." The archbishop predicted the 12-month pilgrimage through more than 400 communities and 28 Australian dioceses "would touch the lives of many young Australians" before the cross and icon return to Sydney for World Youth Day in July 2008.

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