Young people will be at the centre of Pope Benedict XVI's visit as a special event is planned in which he will be greeted by children in St George's Square in the capital and then meet thousands of youths at Valletta Waterfront.

During his 26-hour visit between April 17 and 18, the Pope will meet young people to help strengthen their faith.

Speaking during the Pontifical Mass to celebrate the feast of St Paul yesterday, Archbishop Paul Cremona called on everyone to give His Holiness the same welcome St Paul received when he was shipwrecked in Malta.

The visit will also mark 1950 years since St Paul's shipwreck. Like St Paul, His Holiness was coming to visit and stay for a short while to renew the faith of the Maltese, Mgr Cremona said.

The official itinerary was launched just after the three-hour Mass, celebrated at St Paul's Shipwreck church in Valletta.

In his homily, Xagħra Archpriest Fr Karm Refalo said that Pope Benedict XVI's visit should help motivate the country towards renewing its faith.

He called on the Maltese to make a serious examination of their conscience to see whether they were passing on the message of faith and hope brought to Malta by St Paul almost 2,000 years ago.

St Paul was converted from someone who used to persecute Christians to one of God's apostles and this had to be reflected in people's daily lives. "We need to make a decision and re-route our lives to meet God - just like St Paul did," Fr Refalo said.

Referring to the controversial European Court judgment to remove crucifixes from public buildings, Fr Refalo asked how would people want to remove a symbol of love and history.

No one could separate Malta from its Christian roots. "Malta is Catholic or it is nothing. How can you separate the two," he asked.

The small church was packed to the brim with people, politicians and dignitaries.

Pope's visit

Saturday, April 17

5 p.m. - Welcome ceremony at Malta International Airport.

5.45 p.m. - The Pope leaves the airport on his way to Valletta and will greet the public in the streets.

6.15 p.m. - Courtesy visit to the President and the highest civil authorities at the Palace in Valletta. The Pope will be greeted by children in St George's Square.

7.15 p.m. - The Pope leaves the President's Palace and goes to Rabat and will greet the public in the streets.

7.45 p.m. - Visit to St Paul's Grotto in Rabat and will greet the public in front of St Paul's church.

Sunday, April 18

9.15 a.m. - The Pope departs from the Apostolic Nunciature, in Rabat, to Floriana.

10 a.m. - Pontifical Mass on the Granaries, Floriana. The Pope will recite the Regina Coeli at the end of the celebration.

4 p.m. - The Pope departs from the Apostolic Nunciature to Kalkara and greet the public gathered in the streets on the way there.

4.45 p.m. - The Pope will cross Grand Harbour by ferry from Kalkara to Valletta Waterfront.

5.15 p.m. - The Pope addresses youths during a meeting at Valletta Waterfront.

6.15 p.m. - The Pope departs from Valletta Waterfront to the airport

6.40 p.m. - Farewell celebration at the airport.

7.10 p.m. - The Pope leaves Malta for Rome.