Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Malta on Saturday at 17:00 CEST on his first visit to Malta and the third by a Pope since 1989. He will be welcomed by a Guard of Honour salute followed by a welcoming address by President George Abela.

Following a short address by the Pope himself, the Pope then leaves the airport for Valletta at 17:45 CEST. He will be driven through Gudja, Luqa, Marsa, Blata l-Bajda, Floriana and Valletta. At 18:00 CEST the Pope is driven into Valletta through Republic Street, where 15 minutes later he will arrive at the President’s Palace, Valletta.

The children’s choir for the Pope’s visit will then be singing Happy Birthday to the Pope as he appears on the Palace balcony, a day after turning 83.

At 19:15 CEST the Pope leaves Valletta for St Paul’s Grotto, Rabat, following this route: Valletta, Floriana, Pieta’, Msida, Gzira, Sliema, St Julians, San Gwann, Naxxar, Mosta and Rabat. At 19:45 CEST, the Pope will be meeting Maltese missionaries at St Paul’s Church, Rabat and praying in St Paul’s grotto.

The main highlight on Sunday will be the Mass on the Granaries at 10:00 CEST and the meeting with young people at the Valletta Waterfront at 17:15 CEST. Around 10,000 young peopel are expected at this event with another 35,000 at the Mass on the Granaries.

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