Sydney goes mad for the pope

It's World Youth Week in Sydney. Hundreds of thousands of mostly young Catholic pilgrims from Ausralia and around the world are here in Sydney to celebrate their faith. And of course, the pope is here to take part in the proceedings. As a result, popemania is raging through the city.

No rock star celebrity could possily be as idolised as Pope Benedict XVI. He arrived in the city today to the most extraordinary outpouring of adoration and excitement I have ever witnessed. And guess what? I was there to capture the moment - and yes, I was as giddy as any young Catholic pilgrim. For Popemania, it turns out, is a most infectious condition.

Here is my first view of the pope as he arrived in the city via boat which hugged the shore via Circular Quay so the massive crowds thronging the harbour could catch a glimse of him. As you can see, he was surrounded on the boat by hundreds of excited supporters. If it hadn't been for my 400 mm lens, it would have been hard to pick him out...
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After addressing his followers at a massive "rally" close to Darling Harbour, the pope gave us another opportunity to see him close up by doing a city tour in his famous popemobile. It is both bullet proof and bomb proof but still gives you a good view of him.
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My predjudice of Catholicism as being a rather dull, conservative and old fashioned religion has been dispelled by the excitement and exuberance and joy of the hundreds of thousands of young Catholics in Sydney. Here are some portraits of them in action...
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Thousands of excited pilgrims flocking back into the city after attending the Pope's address at Barangaroo (close to Darling Harbour).
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The city was a madhouse and the only way to get back home was to walk accross the harbour bridge. Thankfully, it was a beautiful evening.
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