Pope decries damage to environment

(CNN) - Pope Benedict XVI, making the first major appearance Wednesday on his tour of Australia, told a crowd of thousands that "insatiable consumption" is threatening the world's environment.

The pope was speaking to an estimated crowd of 150,000 people from 70 countries at World Youth Day, an event that's been dubbed "the Catholic Woodstock."

During his homily - which he gave in several languages, the pontiff noted the natural beauty he observed during his 20-hour flight to Sydney, saying it evoked "a profound sense of awe."