Anti-Pope T-shirts banned

Wearing T-shirts which read "Pope Go Homo" and "The Pope is wrong, put a condom on", a dozen demonstrators poked fun at a new Australian law meant to protect participants of next week's World Youth Day from being annoyed by opponents.

The new rules, which critics have panned as a form of censorship, give authorities the power to order anyone to stop behaviour which "causes annoyance or inconvenience" to the 250,000 pilgrims expected in Sydney for the Roman Catholic festival being held between July 15 and 20.

The law will apply in dozens of areas of downtown Sydney - including the city's landmark opera house, train stations and city parks - which are designated venues for World Youth Day, which will culminate in a Papal Mass. Anyone who does not comply could face a fine of 5,500 Australian dollars (£2,650).

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