Sydney - Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to Australia got off to a slow start Monday with quality time spent with a grand piano and a clutch of kittens.

The 81-year-old pope, famously fond of music and cats, arrived in Sydney on Sunday ahead of this week's World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations that have drawn around
125,000 pilgrims from abroad.

The German-born pontiff's first three days in Australia are his own, to be spent in rest and relaxation at a rural retreat on Sydney's outskirts following a 23-hour flight from Rome.

"We wanted to make it a genuine house of welcome for the Holy Father and to make it a place where he can really recharge his batteries after the longest flight he's ever done," said WYD head Danny Casey.

"He was very excited when he got off the plane. He looked a little tired, as you might expect ... but he's very focused and very excited about the week ahead."

The pope will make a grand entrance aboard a boat on Sydney Harbour on Thursday. The highlight of the event will be Sunday's closing Mass officiated by the pope at the city's biggest racecourse.

The international festival, initiated in 1984, is held once every three years in a different location. (dpa)