Pope formally welcomed to Australia with 21-gun salute, military band

Published: 2008-07-17

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI formally was welcomed to Australia with a 21-gun salute and bright sunshine that had only just begun drying the dew in the grassy garden of Sydney's Government House. Although he arrived in Australia July 13 and in Sydney July 16, the first days of his stay were dedicated to relaxation. Protocol took over July 17 with the government's official welcoming ceremony, complete with a papal review of members of the Australian armed forces, including the Australian Army Band, which played "Waltzing Matilda" only after the pope had left. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd welcome the pope as "an apostle of peace," a defender of the world's poor and "a voice of hope at a time in our planet's dealings when hope is most needed of all." Rudd said it was appropriate that World Youth Day was being celebrated in Australia July 15-20 because, like the Catholic pilgrims, Australia is young and includes people from every part of the world.

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