It appears this story gripped the nation of Australia Lauren Huxley survives hell to reclaim her life. A month ago her attacker was sentenced
Yesterday she met Pope Benedict.
Just metres from the courtroom where Robert Black Farmer was last month sentenced to 24 years' jail for her attempted murder, Ms Huxley and nine other Sydney youths met Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony for disadvantaged youths at Darlinghurst's Church of the Sacred Heart.
Dressed in a grey dress and black coat and supported by her father's arm around her waist, Ms Huxley exchanged a few words with Pope Benedict and received a blessing.
After the ceremony, Ms Huxley told reporters meeting the pontiff had been an "unbelievable" experience.
"It was just an honour to meet him," she said.
"I felt so special, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"I was a little nervous, but I came through. It was just unbelievable."
Her father Pat Huxley said he introduced his daughter to the Pope, telling him how she had been near death, but their prayers had been answered.
"I told him if it wasn't for the churches and the praying ... I didn't think we'd have her here today," Mr Huxley said.
"Then he grabbed my hand and shook it, then he grabbed Lauren's hand and blessed her.
"It was fantastic. It is the ultimate - being received by the Holy Father."
The other nine youths who attended Friday's ceremony all credit the Archdiocese of Sydney's social service agency Centacare and its Alive program with helping them battle drugs, alcohol and homelessness.
Samantha Gerdis and Andrew Holmes, both 25, addressed the Pope about how their faith had helped them overcome difficulties in their lives.
The Pope urged Ms Gerdis and Mr Holmes and others like them to use their life experiences to lead others away from the "false gods" of addictions.
"Perhaps you have made choices that you now regret ... the choice to abuse drugs or alcohol, to engage in criminal activity or self-harm," the pontiff said during his address.
"Dear friends, I see you as ambassadors of hope to others in similar situations.
"You can convince them of the need to choose the path of life and shun the path of death, because you speak from experience."
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith, federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke and the opposition spokesman for family and community services Tony Abbott were among the 200-strong congregation and shook the Pope's hand as he left the church.
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