Pope Benedict XVI shunned violence and materialism in his rousing Christmas address to Roman Catholics around the world, posing the question: “Do we have time for our neighbour who is in need of a word from us, from me, or in need of my affection?”

The answer, it seems, is yes. For a mere $175.

It’s a good job the Pope warned Christians to avoid consumer hysteria over Christmas, because those in need of a guiding word — and the hope of seeing him in the flesh — will need to start saving if they hope to attend his final mass for World Youth Day 2008. The week-long event will be held in Sydney from July 15-20 under the theme “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8) and will be the Pope’s first trip to Australia.

Entry to the pivotal final mass at Randwick Racecourse will be restricted to registered pilgrims only, with registration packages for Australians starting at $175 (for the weekend) and climbing to $395 to include accommodation and entry to other events across the week-long program.

Looks like it’s easier for a rich man to get through the gates at Randwick than those pearly ones in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Organisers expect 500,000 pilgrims from around the world to attend the week’s events, with a sliding scale of cost for those from poorer countries in order to encourage participation from South East Asia and the Pacific. To compensate for these lower costs, pilgrims from developed nations are asked to pay an additional 10 Euros minimum to the World Youth Day Solidarity Fund.

For Catholics unable to afford the entry fee to the Pope’s final mass, a live feed will be provided in nearby Centennial Park, for a very different kind of witness.

World Youth Day organisers were unavailable to comment on how the fees accord with Christian values.