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Pope Leo XIV Set to Visit Sydney for Eucharist28
Pope Leo XIV has signaled his intention to visit Sydney in Spring 2028 to preside over the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC). While formal diplomatic protocols between the Australian government and the Holy See are ongoing, Bishop Richard Umbers, CEO of Eucharist28, confirmed the Pope’s personal commitment during a recent press conference.
A Historic Milestone
The 2028 Congress holds significant historical weight for Australian Catholics:
Centenary Celebration: It marks 100 years since Australia’s first international congress in Melbourne (1928).
Papal Legacy: This will be the fifth papal visit to Australia. Previous visits include Pope St. Paul VI (1970), Pope St. John Paul II (1986, 1995), and Benedict XVI (2008).
A Growing Tradition: Melbourne also hosted in 1973, an event attended by the future St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta.
Event Highlights & Expectations
The IEC will span one week and feature several major public events:
Masses & Processions: The week opens with a formal Mass and is expected to culminate in a massive Eucharistic procession led by the Pope.
Attendance: With 5 million Catholics in Australia, organizers anticipate hundreds of thousands of attendees. For context, the 2008 World Youth Day Mass drew 400,000 people, the largest gathering in Australian history.
Spiritual Impact: Bishop Umbers emphasized that the primary goal is a "spiritual conversion," aiming to invigorate local parishes and increase Sunday Mass attendance nationwide.
Logistics
While exact dates are still being finalized, organizers are already working through the logistical challenges of hosting a global event in Sydney. Addressing rumors that the Congress might clash with the Rugby League Grand Final, Bishop Umbers joked that while Sydney can handle both, a "Doggies" (Bulldogs) appearance in the final might make it hard to keep even his priests away from the stadium.
Sources: https://catholicweekly.com.au/pope-leo-to-come-to-australia/
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