Up to half a million people are expected to flock to streets and vantage points in central Sydney on Thursday for a rare opportunity to see the Pope.
Pope Benedict XVI, in Australia as part of this month's World Youth Day celebrations, will make his first official public appearance of the Catholic Church's six-day event.
A massive flotilla of spectator craft will line up to view the 81-year-old pontiff's "boat-a-cade" as it motors across Sydney Harbour from 2.45pm local time.
Massive crowds of pilgrims, and the public, will line the harbour foreshore as the Pope is ferried from the Opera House to Barangaroo, at East Darling Harbour, to address an expected 150,000 pilgrims about 3.30pm.
Thousands will also later line Sydney's streets to greet the Pontiff when he tours the CBD in his specially designed "Popemobile" from 4.45pm.
The Pope's grand entrance on Sydney Harbour is in stark contrast to the start of his day, which began at 7.30am with a private holy mass in the chapel of St Mary's Cathedral.
He met Governor-General Michael Jeffery and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at Admiralty House in Kirribilli, after making a prayer visit to the tomb of Mary MacKillop in a memorial chapel.
Meanwhile, director of Catholic Youth Ministry in New Zealand Clare Dooley is to have lunch with the Pope on Friday.
A Papal mass will be held at Randwick Racecourse on Sunday. Up to half a million people are expected to attend.
'Flu outbreak fears
More than 50 pilgrims have been isolated in two centres in Sydney to prevent an outbreak of influenza.
New South Wales Health officials say the pilgrims have voluntarily gone into isolation after discussing the dangers of a 'flu outbreak with doctors and paramedics.
Eleven cases of 'flu have been confirmed to date, and officials are worried it could spread, as the pilgrims are sharing accommodation. Officials say the isolated pilgrims have been very co-operative.
