World Youth Day
Whether you're desperate to see - or avoid - the Pope, Time Out's got the inside track on his Sydney tour
Tuesday 15th
Jesuswalks Art
All over including Bondi Beach, Hyde Park, North Sydney, St Mary's. Until July 20. Free
This epic exhibition features 33 life-size depictions of Jesus by young and emerging Australian artists. After World Youth Day the sculptures will be auctioned with all proceeds going to the charity, Youth Off the Streets.
Thursday 17th
Papal Arrival
Barangaroo, Darling Harbour Foreshore, 2.45- 6pm. Free
The G-man's main man hits town at high noon, so welcome Pope Benedictus XVI in style as he cruises Sydney Harbour as part of 13-vessel boat-a-cade expected to attract another 300 waterborne pilgrims from 2.45pm.
Disembarking at Barangaroo, the Pope will then address a crowd of 100,000 pilgrims and attend a civic reception and a welcome to Sydney from local indigenous leaders (including a pope-smoking ceremony from Time Out's favourite tribal elder Uncle Max - above).
Time Out's tip Bradley's Head, Pyrmont Park, Blues Point, Mrs Macquarie's Chair and Circular Quay will have grand aspects of the Pope's pleasureboating. Thereafter, you'll be able to catch the Pope-Mobile hooning via Botanic Gardens, and along George, Bridge and Macquarie Streets and Dawes Point.
Friday 18th
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross is a showpiece event of World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08). The 13 Stations will be acted out from 3pm-6pm at six major CBD locations.
Alfio Stuto and Marina Dixon, who will play Jesus and Mary respectively, have been busy rehearsing with 100 fellow cast members for the last few months. Thanks to BridgeClimb Sydney, the pair joined young Sydney priest Fr Mark Podesta to get an aerial view of the event route:
Station 1 The Last Supper with a special appearance by the Holy Father
St Mary's Cathedral - Performance by St Mary's Cathedral choir
Station 2 The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane where Christ prepares for his death
The Domain
Station 3 Jesus before the Sanhedrin
The Art Gallery of NSW
Station 4 Jesus before Pontius Pilate
Sydney Opera House
Station 5 Jesus is whipped and crowned
Sydney Opera House Forecourt
Station 6 Jesus carries his Cross
Sydney Opera House Forecourt
Station 7 Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene onboard a floating pontoon
Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour
Station 8 Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem.
Barangaroo, Centre Stage
Station 9 Jesus is stripped and nailed
Barangaroo North Stage
Station 10 Jesus and the Good Thief
Barangaroo North Stage
Station 11 Jesus speaks to Mary and John
Barangaroo North Stage
Station 12 Jesus dies on the cross
Barangaroo North Stage
Station 13 The body of Jesus is brought down from the Cross
Barangaroo North Stage
Saturday 19th
Pilgrimage Walk
Bridge Meeting Point: North Sydney Station, Blues St, North Sydney, 2060.
Central Station Meeting Point: Devonshire St, Surry Hills 2010. 5.30am-5.30pm. Free
Spanning nine kilometres and three hours, the WYD pilgrimage walk will be one of the largest events of the week-long festivities. Starting at the northern end of the Bridge, pilgrims will stroll to Randwick Racecourse for the Pope's Evening Vigil - a march over 180,000 pilgrims are expected to make.
Time Out's tip The first Bridge crossing is at 5.30am, the last at 2pm. A lighter one-hour stroll begins at Central Station from 7.30am.
Evening Vigil
Southern Cross Precinct, Randwick Racecourse, Alison Rd 2031. 7pm-9pm. Free
Sing by candlelight and chillax with the Pope in a campfire setting filled with prayer, testimonies and a personal Pope homily. The Vigil includes a sleep out under the stars as primer for the Final Mass.
Time Out's tip Pilgrims get priority so general public should get in early and dress warm. No TAB!
Sunday 20th
Final Mass
Southern Cross Precinct, Randwick Racecourse. 10am-12.30pm. Free
WYD ends with a bang of biblical proportions. The Pope's grand finale mass - held on the actual World Youth Day - will include an announcement of the next WYD host city.
Time Out's tip Pilgrims and HomeStay hosts get priority access but there'll be space for the general public so arrive early.