But, unlike a pop star, the pontiff was not here to sell popular culture, instead his mission was a far more challenging one, the promotion and consolidation of Catholic faith.

Yesterday he held a final mass for the faithful who had descended on Sydney over the past week in their hundreds of thousands.

For the Pope and for the head of the Catholic Church in Australia Cardinal George Pell, it must have been encouraging to see so many people gathered for a series of events that had, at their heart, a Christian message of peace

and love.

For other followers of the Catholic Church, the events of the past week brought into focus the abuse they experienced at the hands of those charged with the responsibility of providing pastoral care within the church.

Many were wanting and hoping for an apology, which the Pope delivered.

It had, perhaps, been the best and worst month for the Catholic Church in Australia.

The triumph of an articulate, multilingual Pope who clearly enjoyed the presence of the pilgrims was the high, the persistence of the stories of abuse the low point.

For some, an apology will not be enough. Many want a further investigation into the church and the way it has conducted itself against accusations of abuse.

Such investigations are better left to the police rather than the church.

Be more waterwise for the Murray's sake

THE state of the Murray River has highlighted the seriousness of the persistent drought.

Yesterday came news that authorities were acting to ensure there will be sufficient drinking water for communities living along the river.

For several decades the river has done so much more than provide drinking water. It has grown a broad variety of crops that have generated wealth and prosperity.

The once mighty Murray is drawing down to a trickle. This will hit river towns and farms hard.

This highlights the need for water extracted from the river to be used as efficiently as possible.