SYDNEY- Pope Benedict XVI took to the skies over Sydney Sunday, getting a birds-eye view of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered for the final mass of World Youth Day.

The pope was driven to a military barracks in the inner Sydney suburb of Paddington where he boarded a helicopter to fly over the crowd for the papal mass at Randwick racecourse.

Organisers said they hoped around 500,000 people would gather for the mass at the racecourse and an adjoining park.

The crowd at Randwick, where around 235,000 mostly young Catholic pilgrims stayed overnight in chilly conditions, cheered when told the pope's helicopter was overhead.

The pope later entered the racecourse in his distinctive popemobile, surrounded by security men in suits walking beside the vehicle on a slow circuit of the racetrack.

Pilgrims said they were sad the final mass meant the end of six days of events for World Youth Day, which has been held every two or three years since 1986 and is aimed at strengtheningthe faith of young Catholics.

"It's a bit surreal that it's all coming to an end," said Alicia Desa, 18, from Toronto, Canada.

"It's kind of sad that it's all over, but people are looking forward to the next one."

The 81-year-old pontiff was later due to deliver a homily at the final mass and is due to leave Australia on Monday at the end of his week-long visit.

On Saturday the pope made a historic apology for sex abuse by Catholic clergy in Australia, saying he was "deeply sorry" and calling for abusers to be brought to justice. - AFP/vm