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AUSTRALIA 
Pope flies over pilgrims at Randwick
Sunday, 20 July, 2008
More than 200,000 WYD pilgrims camped out in the cold at Randwick Racecourse. (SBS)
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Pope Benedict XVI has flown in a helicopter over the Southern Cross precinct in Sydney's east, seeing for himself the hundreds of thousands gathered for this morning's papal mass.
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About 500,000 people are expected to attend the final World Youth Day (WYD) mass at Randwick Racecourse.
More than 200,000 WYD pilgrims camped out in the cold at the racecourse last night in preparation for today's final mass.
Another 300,000 people are expected to arrive at the racecourse and the Centennial Park overflow venue this morning to attend the 10am (AEST) mass to be led by the Pope.
'Biggest crowds ever'
Organisers say today's last major WYD event will attract some of the biggest crowds ever seen in Australia.
Pilgrims sang for much of last night in their sleeping bags to keep their spirits up before giving into sleep as the mercury dipped to about 8 degrees at 5.30am.
The pope's helicopter left at 8.48am today from Victoria Barracks, and returned 10 minutes later.
Pilgrims will get another close view of the Pope as his motorcade winds its way through the crowds about 9.30am on his way to the Randwick racecourse stage.
The gods have so far smiled on the six-day event with the rain holding off all week.
Showers are forecast tonight with a maximum temperature in Sydney of 19 degrees predicted.
Source: AAP
