Salt + Light Media Home
Salt + Light Media Menu
Salt + Light Media Home
Magnifying Glass

WYD08: Meeting the Holy Father

Kris Dmytrenko

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Youth join Pope Benedict XVI on the boatacade in Sydney Harbour
Today I met Pope Benedict XVI. The occasion was the boatacade to the Barangaroo site in Sydney Harbour, where 150,000 pilgrims waited to welcome him to World Youth Day. Some 350,000 others were along the shores en route.
Eleven members of the International Liturgy Group were granted the opportunity to speak with the Pope, each of us received word of this past weekend. We nervously rehearsed the choreography of the meeting just one hour prior, kneeling before our pontifical body double Chris Valka C.S.B.–a fellow blogger on these pages who happens to have also been the MC and principle organizer of the boatacade.
The small bow deck was so packed with security that I missed my cue, which was the Holy Father waving from the balcony. But when I finally saw his outrstretched arm over the heads of the officers, I managed to squeeze through. I had been randomly selected to be the first.
I knelt and kissed his ring.
“Hello Holy Father!”
“Are you from Australia?”
“No, I’m from Canada. I work for Catholic Television there.”
“What are you following?”
“We’re following you, Your Holiness! I want to thank you for your message to Quebec at the International Eucharistic Congress.”
“Oh! You were there!”
“Yes!”
“I remember the huge rainfall.”
“Yes, it was incredible!”
My time was up, so I stood to the side as the next ILG member had her moment. This would not be the end of my encounter, however, as we were surprised to learn that we would stand next to him as the boat continued to Barangaroo.
I’ll never forget his warmth and attention. As he waved to pilgrims along the shores, his papal ring glimmered mere inches from my nose. Tomorrow, I’ll share a beautiful encounter he had with a Sudanese woman from our group.
-
Image courtesy of WYD2008/Getty Images
Categories:


Related Articles:

Tag: fruits of the Holy Spirit

Pope’s General Audience – November 27, 2024

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Pope Francis

In his weekly catechesis, Pope Francis reflected on the fruits of the Spirit. Beginning with Joy, he said that "not only is it not subject to the inevitable wear of time, but it multiplies when it is shared with others! A true joy is shared with others; it even spreads."

Finding the peace of Christ: Reflection for the 6th Sunday of Easter

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Salt + Light Media

How do we find the peace that Jesus offers us? Deacon Robin Cheung reflects on the Gospel for the Sixth Sunday of Easter.

SUPPORT LABEL

Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Copyright © 2025 Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
Registered Charity # 88523 6000 RR0001
FR | CH