The last day of the life of Jesus Christ has been re-enacted in front of large crowds in central Sydney as part of World Youth Day.
About 80 performers took part in the re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross.
Billions of people from around the world were expected to tune into to watch the performance, and thousands of pilgrims lined Sydney's streets to see each station.
The first station was at St Mary's Cathedral, where actors performed the Last Supper, and Pope Benedict said a prayer.
"Make us generous and insightful as we try to walk in your footsteps," he said
.
The ritual continued at the Opera House, where the actor playing Jesus, 27-year-old Alfio Stuto, received the crown of thorns, before carrying the cross underneath the Harbour Bridge.
Finally, on the edge of the harbour at Barangaroo, he was raised onto the cross and the Bible's description of the moment was read aloud.
"And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit," the reader said.
The performance ended when the body of Jesus was brought down from the Cross and carried through the crowd.
The Stations of the Cross dates back to the early days of the Christian Church, when pilgrims visited Jerusalem to carry out a similar ritual.
Pope Benedict is expected to meet with a group of disadvantaged youths later this evening. (ABC news)
About 80 performers took part in the re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross.
Billions of people from around the world were expected to tune into to watch the performance, and thousands of pilgrims lined Sydney's streets to see each station.
The first station was at St Mary's Cathedral, where actors performed the Last Supper, and Pope Benedict said a prayer.
"Make us generous and insightful as we try to walk in your footsteps," he said
.The ritual continued at the Opera House, where the actor playing Jesus, 27-year-old Alfio Stuto, received the crown of thorns, before carrying the cross underneath the Harbour Bridge.
Finally, on the edge of the harbour at Barangaroo, he was raised onto the cross and the Bible's description of the moment was read aloud.
"And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit," the reader said.
The performance ended when the body of Jesus was brought down from the Cross and carried through the crowd.
The Stations of the Cross dates back to the early days of the Christian Church, when pilgrims visited Jerusalem to carry out a similar ritual.
Pope Benedict is expected to meet with a group of disadvantaged youths later this evening. (ABC news)
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