Pope to pass through 40 parishes

Pope Benedict XVI will be passing through 33 localities and 40 parishes during his 26-hour visit to Malta in April.

"We tried to make his routes as varied as possible to give the people of different localities the opportunity to see the Pope... We want the people to enjoy this visit but we also want the visit to be a gift to the Pontiff," explained Monsignor Charles Cordina, chairman of the Church's organising committee.

The Pope will travel inside the Popemobile at a speed of about 30 kilometres per hour so that people will get the chance to soak in the experience.

However, Mgr Cordina stressed, the Popemobile will not stop anywhere other than the locations where activities were planned.

Details of the precise route through which the Pope will be passing will be announced at a later stage. However, for many, the announcement of the routes translated into potential new road works in their localities.

One timesofmalta.com reader commented under the story announcing the Pope's itinerary: "woo hoo, new tarmac". Another said: "Wonderful, cannot wait to drive on the new roads. Invite him back every year."

When asked whether any roads would be done up purposefully for the Pope's visit, the chairman of the government's organising team, Charles Bonello, was diplomatic.

He pointed out that the transport authority was constantly carrying out road works where needed but then added that "particular attention" would be given to the roads from where the Pope would pass and any necessary maintenance works would be carried out.

An effort was made to ensure the Pope would go past places like old people's homes and monasteries and, along the path, there would be bands and festivities organised.

"We want to make sure the Pope gets to see what the Maltese community is all about," he said.

Martin Bugelli, from the Department of Information, said Rai would be broadcasting live the pontifical Mass which the Pope will lead on the Granaries, in Floriana, on Sunday morning. The Mass will also be broadcast live on several local channels.

The public can follow the event on the website papalvisit.gov.mt that will carry information on the Pope's routes and traffic arrangements.

Papal paths

Saturday April 17

Route 1: After landing at 5 p.m. he will leave the airport in Gudja at 5.45 p.m. for the President's Palace in Valletta. He will pass through: Gudja, Luqa, Marsa, Blata l-Bajda, Floriana, Valletta.

Route 2: He will leave Valletta at 7.15 p.m. to St Paul's Grotto in Rabat. He will pass through: Valletta, Floriana, Pietà, Msida, Gżira, Sliema, St Julians, San Ġwann, Naxxar, Mosta, Rabat.

Route 3: He will leave Rabat at 7.45 p.m. and head to the Apostolic Nunciature also in Rabat.

Sunday April 18

Route 4: He will leave Rabat at 9.15 a.m. and head for the Granaries in Floriana where Mass will be said. He will pass through: Rabat, Attard, Balzan, Birkirkara, Fleur-de-Lys, Santa Venera, Ħamrun, Blata l-Bajda, Floriana.

Route 5: He will leave the Granaries at 12.20 p.m. and head back to the Appostolic Nunciature in Rabat by car through Floriana, Marsa, Mrieħel Bypass, Attard, Rabat.

Route 6: At 4.15 p.m. he will leave Rabat and head to Kalkara through: Rabat, Żebbuġ, Qormi, Marsa, Paola, Fgura, Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Kalkara.

Route 7: He will travel from Kalkara to the Valletta Waterfront by boat. At 6.15 p.m. he will leave the Waterfront for the air-port through Valletta, Floriana, Blata l-Bajda, Marsa, Tal-Barrani, Għaxaq and Gudja.