Pope Benedict will today hold a special mass to celebrate Sydney's hosting of the 2008 World Youth Day.
New South Wales Premier, Morris Iemma in Rome for the service, will receive the World Youth Day Cross and Icon from representatives of the last host city, Cologne.
Mr Iemma has described the event as the biggest to be hosted in Sydney since the 2000 Olympic Games.
A special mass at St Mary's Cathedral will also mark the handover.