With His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in town, Sydneysiders joined visiting pilgrims to celebrate on the eve of the largest event ever held in Australia.

Activities of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI:

After a 19 hour, 45 minute flight from Rome, His Holiness arrived in Kenthurst at 4pm on Sunday afternoon before celebrating Mass at 6pm followed by dinner at 7pm.

Today the Pope had an 8am Mass, a 9am breakfast followed by a short walk in the surrounding parklands on the retreat property. Before lunch, His Holiness met Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell and WYD08 Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP to discuss preparations for WYD08 and enjoy a light meal.

At 4.00pm today the Pope followed his daily routine of taking a longer walk after lunch. His Holiness walked around the pond onsite at the Kenthurst retreat (as per HSPO images) to the small chapel where he prayed immediately after.

Prior to his 6.00pm dinner, His Holiness attended a small private concert performed by 7 members of the Sydney Symphony Training Orchestra - who played Schubert and Mozart pieces.

Tomorrow Vatican officials expect that His Holiness will follow a similar program as he rests prior to his World Youth Day Sydney commitments begin on Thursday 17 July.

Completion of the Journey if the Cross and Icon & Days in the Diocese:

In Sydney's CBD, hundreds lined Circular Quay to catch a glimpse of the WYD Cross and Icon arriving in perfect fashion - on an iconic Manly ferry.

Since arriving in Australia on 1 July 2007 the 3.8 metre Cross and Icon of Our Lady have visited over 400 local communities and been greeted by more than 400,000 Australians.

This morning the symbols finally reached the centre of Sydney, greeted by an enthusiastic celebration from 4,000 pilgrims and Sydneysiders following the procession through Sydney's Pitt Street to Central Station.

With less than 24 hours until the WYD08 Opening Mass, 70,000 international pilgrims were expected to arrive in Sydney today following the completion of the Days in the Dioceses program.

A feature of every World Youth Day, Days in the Dioceses was held the week before the WYD08 major events to give pilgrims the chance to celebrate their faith on a local level, meet local communities, relax and do some sight-seeing.

"Pilgrims are arriving into Sydney in tens-of-thousands each day," said Fr Mark Podesta, WYD08 spokesman.

"It is hard to miss the infectious smiles, singing and dancing that these international visitors are bringing to our international city from all parts of the world!"

Included in today's arrivals were 37 pilgrims from Burma - officially welcomed by Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney Julian Porteous.

Tomorrow will mark the commencement of the official WYD08 program. His Eminence Cardinal George Pell will lead the Opening Mass at Barangaroo in front of an anticipated crowd of 140,000 followed by the WYD08 Opening Concert.