Around 150 Italians from the Holy Trinity parish in Turin have chartered an Air Malta aircraft to attend the funeral of their Gozitan parish priest, Joe Galea, which will be held today.

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will be at the airport this morning at 8 a.m., when the flight arrives, to bless Fr Galea's coffin as it is taken off the aircraft.

The funeral Mass, led by Mgr Grech who was at Fr Galea's bedside when he died, will be held in the priest's home village, Fontana, at 4 p.m.

Fr Galea died last week after being unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer last month.

On Monday hundreds gathered inside and outside the parish church while the rain fell in Nichelino as most of the parishioners paid their last respects to the priest they grew to love. A special Mass was led by Cardinal Severino Poletto.

The 54-year-old went to Turin about 30 years ago and was held in the highest esteem after building up a strong community atmosphere in the area.

The community's website has been flooded with tributes since the priest's death and local radio will broadcast his funeral Mass live.

Fr Galea built up a special rapport with young people. He constructed a full-scale football nursery from scratch that was courted by the region's famous football clubs and counted among his friends one of Italy's most famous referees.

The priest also organised countless trips, camps and retreats in the neighbouring Alpine region and was a focal point in community life.

The Italian parishioners will return home in the evening.