Pope Benedict XVI's motorcade, the re-enactment of the last hours of Jesus Christ and yesterday's final Mass at Randwick were just a few of the highlights which lit up Sydney with a fervour rarely seen before.

Huge crowds seemed to drift from one site to another with a minimum of fuss, thanks to a well-organised transport system.

Pilgrims were fed, housed and offered prompt attention when struck down by illness. And it was not only an organisational feat.

Residents, subjected to road closures and clogged streets, were mostly philosophical, dismissing the inconvenience as a small price to pay to allow hordes of young people from home and overseas to celebrate their youth and faith as the world watched.

The Illawarra should also feel proud for its part in hosting hundreds of pilgrims with a level of hospitality which will forge many lifetime friendships.

Of course, most of us would have hoped that the victims of sexual abuse by priests would have received a heartfelt apology from all leaders of the Catholic Church, not just from the Pope.

But overall, World Youth Day has been a resounding success with hundreds of people working behind the scenes who have done us proud.