Australia ? Pope Benedict XVI began a pilgrimage in Australia on Sunday, saying he wants his visit to raise awareness about global warming and to address the crisis of clergy sexual abuse.

Benedict’s plane landed in the northern city of Darwin in the morning after a more than 20-hour flight from the Vatican. His plane was making a brief refueling stop before flying to Sydney, where he will lead celebrations at the World Youth Day festival.

Benedict, 81, will spend three days resting at a retreat in Sydney before taking part in the festival, including a vigil service with thousands of young people and an outdoor Mass.

The pope met with reporters aboard his plane during the flight, and was asked about climate change following discussions on the environment during this month’s Group of Eight summit in Japan.

There is a need to “wake up consciences,” Benedict responded. “We have to give impulse to rediscovering our responsibility and to finding an ethical way to change our way of life.”