Pope Prepares for WYD in Prayer, Work and Music

Benedict XVI will stay at the Opus Dei center until his official arrival to World Youth Day on Thursday at 3:30 p.m., local time.

SYDNEY (Zenit) - Photos show Benedict XVI enjoying his days of rest Down Under -- praying, working and delighting in a classical music concert.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, told journalists that the Pope is "absolutely serene and resting." Some members of the Australian press had painted a bleak picture of the Pontiff's health, saying that the Holy Father was extremely exhausted after his flight of more than 20 hours.

But the Vatican spokesman presented a video Monday afternoon, local time, showing the Pope praying and walking with his secretaries at the Opus Dei retreat center where he is staying till World Youth Day officially opens.

"The images that you see are serene," Father Lombardi said. "The Pope is totally tranquil and resting. To those who worry about his health, I have to say that there is no problem."

The spokesman said that Benedict XVI celebrated Mass in private after arriving to the center Sunday. Then he had dinner and rested.

"This morning, he had Mass with his entourage, a dozen people, celebrating with his secretary and two Opus Dei priests," Father Lombardi said.

"After breakfast, he took a first walk and then retreated to work, just as he does every morning. A little after 1 p.m., Cardinal [George] Pell and Bishop [Anthony] Fisher [of Sydney] came to see the Pope. They had lunch together and spoke of the preparations.

"After lunch, he took his typical daily walk with his secretaries. Afterward, a period of work. At 4 p.m. he spent something of a longer time with Cardinal Pell.

"There is a pond, a small lake, and a little chapel where the Pope paused to pray the rosary.

"At 5, there was a concert that the archbishop of Sydney, [Cardinal] Pell, and Bishop Fisher attended. They played pieces from Schumann, Mozart and Schubert. The concert ended at about 6. At 7, dinner."

Benedict XVI will stay at the Opus Dei center until his official arrival to World Youth Day on Thursday at 3:30 p.m., local time.