Pilgrim attacks protester en route to mass

A World Youth Day pilgrim who ran among pro-choice protesters in central Sydney yesterday was put in the back of a police van.

Police on the scene would not comment on the incident, but demonstrator Stefan Joksic, 23, said the man jumped on him and called him a "fag".

Mr Joksic, who was wearing a T-shirt with the slogan Pope Go Homo, said the pilgrim was saying "f*** you", "you're all wrong", and "go to hell".

"(He) found a break in the police line and just lunged for me. He was pulled back by the cops. He hit me on the side of the neck," he said.

Later, police said a 19-year-old Newcastle man was arrested about 2.30pm (AEST) during a confrontation between pilgrims and protesters.

He was questioned and released without charge. No formal complaint was lodged.