Pope Benedict XVI visits retired Cardinal Clancy

Pope Benedict XVI visits retired Cardinal Clancy

en route to Evening Vigil

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has this evening paid a visit to retired Cardinal Edward Bede Clancy, a former Archbishop of Sydney.

The Holy Father stopped by the Mt St Josephs Home in Randwick - run by the Little Sisters of the Poor - on his way to the World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08) Evening Vigil at Randwick Racecourse tonight.

Cardinal Clancy, 84, was the seventh Archbishop of Sydney, serving from 1983 to 2001.

A spokesman for WYD08 said the Holy Father also visited retired Bishops William Brennan and William Murray.

The Holy Father also met 92 year old Rosemarie Goldie, the Sydney-born former under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity - the first woman to hold such a high office in the Vatican.

His Holiness also spoke with several retired priests staying at the home in a visit that lasted around 20 minutes.

It is understood all were thrilled by the Holy Father’s visit, a late addition to his schedule, the spokesman said.

 
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