Pope's speed disappoints some in Sydney

SYDNEY, July 18 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI's "popemobile" may go more slowly Sunday when he makes his final journey through Sydney than it did Thursday, a government spokeswoman said.

Kristina Keneally, the New South Wales representative for World Youth Day, said she knew many people were disappointed by the speed with which the pope moved Thursday, The Australian reported. He traveled to Barangaroo on Sydney Harbor by boat but used a so-called popemobile for the return trip to St. Mary's Cathedral.

Thousands of people lined the route taken by the 20-vehicle motorcade. The pope smiled and waved to the crowds but many were disappointed to get only a fleeting glimpse.

Benedict is scheduled to drive through Centennial Park Sunday to the closing mass for World Youth Day.

"We've raised that matter with the church and ... understand that he will be taking a slower pace en route on Sunday," Keneally said.

She said from everything she had heard the pope was wearing his seat belt and not breaking any traffic rules Thursday.