Sydney, Australia, Jul 14, 2008 / 09:12 am (CNA).- The Pope has passed his first 24 hours in Sydney in an environment of peace and tranquillity, the official spokesman for the Vatican Father Federico Lombardi, told the press.

As part of the Pope’s schedule, he celebrated Mass after landing on Sunday in the Kenthurst Study Center at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner at 7 o'clock.

On Monday the Pope celebrated mass at 8:00 a.m. with two of his secretaries and two priests of the Kenthurst Study Center. He then had breakfast at 9:00 a.m. followed by a short walk around the Centre’s native bushland.

The Pope shared lunch with the Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell and the Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, who reported to him on the course of the preparations for World Youth Day.

After lunch the Pope had his usual meeting with his secretaries, and then prayed the rosary at 5 o'clock in the evening. Later in the evening he enjoyed a private concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. 

The Holy Father closed his first full day in Australia with supper at 7 p.m.

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