Pope arrives in Australia
Pope Benedict XVI is welcomed to Australia by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as the pope arrives on Sunday at Richmond Air Base near Sydney. (Dean Lewis/The Associated Press)
International Herald Tribune
The Associated Press
Published: July 13, 2008
SYDNEY: Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Australia on Sunday, saying he wanted to use his visit to raise awareness about global warming and address the crisis of clergy sexual abuse.
Benedict suggested to reporters on the flight from the Vatican that he would express regret about abuse by priests, though victims' groups are demanding that he go further and make a direct formal apology.
The clergy abuse scandal is a serious note in the pope's 10-day visit to Australia - his first - during which he will join the World Youth Day festival that has attracted more than 200,000 people.
Benedict, 81, flew more than 20 hours from the Vatican to touch down at a military air base on Sydney's outskirts. He waved briefly as he climbed down the plane's stairway and was greeted by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and other government and church officials. He was driven to a retreat in Sydney, where he was to stay out of the public eye until the youth festival begins Thursday.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 10:04 AM
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