The Papal itinerary and routes
Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Malta on Saturday at 5 p.m. on his first visit to Malta and the third by a Pope since 1989.
Pope Benedict has already established a link with Malta, having canonised Dun Gorg Preca in Rome, after he was beatified by Pope John Paul II during his second visit to Malta.
The following is the programme of the Pope's two days in Malta and the routes to be taken by the Pope. The Popemobile will not stop as it takes the Pope to his various engagements.
Saturday, April 17.
5 p.m. Pope arrives at Malta International Airport.
- Salute by the Guard of Honour
- Welcoming Address by President George Abela.
- Address by Pope Benedict.
5.45 p.m. Pope Benedict leaves the airport for Valletta. He will be driven through Gudja, Luqa, Marsa, Blata l-Bajda, Floriana and Valletta.
6 p.m. Pope is driven into Valletta through Republic Street.
6.16 p.m. Pope arrives at the President's Palace, Valletta.
7.15 p.m. Pope leaves the Palace Valletta for St Paul's Grotto, Rabat, following this route: Valletta, Floriana, Pieta', Msida, Gzira, Sliema, St Julians, San Gwann, Naxxar, Mosta and Rabat.
7.45 p.m. Pope Benedict meets Maltese missionaries at St Paul's Church, Rabat and prays in St Paul's grotto.
The Pope will then appear on the parvis of St Paul's Church.
- Address by Archbishop Paul Cremona
- Address by Pope Benedict.
8.15 p.m. Pope Benedict goes to the Apostolic Nunciature at Tal-Virtu', where he will be staying.
Sunday April 18.
9.15 a.m. Pope leaves the Apostolic Nunciature in Rabat for the Granaries using the following route: Rabat, Attard, Balzan, Birkirkara, Fleur-de-Lys, Sta Venera, Hamrun, Blata l-Bajda and Floriana.
9.35 a.m. Pope Benedict arrives at the Granaries, Floriana. He will be driven through the crowd to St Publius Church.
10 a.m. Pope celebrates Mass on the Granaries.
12.10 p.m. Regina Coeli.
12.20 p.m. The Pope leaves the Granaries for Rabat in a closed car.
4.15 p.m. The Pope leaves the Apostolic Nunciature for Kalkara along Rabat, Zebbug, Qormi, Marsa, Paola, Fgura, Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Kalkara.
4.35 p.m. Pope Benedict arrives at Kalkara and boards a catamaran to cross the harbour for Valletta Waterfront.
5.15 p.m. Pope Benedict arrives at Valletta Waterfront for a meeting with young people.
There will be a concert by local bands starting at 2.30 p.m.
After the Pope arrives there will be an address by the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, followed by dialogue with those present and replies by the Pope.
6.15 p.m. The Pope leaves Valletta Waterfront for the airport. He will be driven through Valletta, Floriana, Blata l-Bajda, Marsa, Tal-Barrani, Ghaxaq and Gudja.
6.40 p.m. Departure ceremony at Malta International Airport.
-Salute by the Guard of Honour.
- Address by President George Abela.
- Address by Pope Benedict.
7.10 p.m. - Pope departs.
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J.Tonna
Apr 14th 2010, 18:42
Thanks timesofmalta.com for giving us the route our Pope will follow. So, I and my family will be there to meet him.
Steve Evans
Apr 14th 2010, 18:00
There seems to be no expense spared with this visit, just when serious allegations are being made with this organization who and many within both the Catholic Church and many Maltese refuse to beleve. As the country slides into further into debt, just where is the money coming from, the taxpayer? Many will be praying at the next budget, where the Government will be trying to pay for all this.
Joe Fenech
Apr 14th 2010, 10:07
Who is coming a Hollywood star?
martin saliba
Apr 13th 2010, 19:27
As a person who doesn't give a hoot about the Pope i also know where he is passing from. I would like to know if the archbishop is going to be truthful to him and tell him what he is seeing is all a lie. With all due respect to the not so beautiful women from the outside , its like sleeping with the most beautiful girl in the world only to wake up in the morning and see that her make -up has smeared all over her ugly face even though she might be beautiful on the inside as we Maltese are.
m muscat
Apr 12th 2010, 23:08
Shame on those who said against the pope! Thanks to him, roads are getting done..I mean his routes...but at least, we have some done..
For example the road from Gudja to Tal-Barrani. My God, you feel like on the moon...the first part was done, so that the pope could see the road good. But hell noo mr ratzinger!
Melvin Tonna
Apr 12th 2010, 21:19
Yep, I agree with both comments below :) Kont naf li se jghaddi minn Bormla wkoll fil-fatt. U mhux mill-fast lane se jghadduh imma mil-lane ta' gewwa ghax minn triq shiha ghamlu t-tarmac fuq nofs it-triq biss!! Tistaqsunix ghaliex please!!! I guess you know the answer!
ray sacco
Apr 12th 2010, 20:44
we do not need any itinery and routes directions! just follow the bright black tarmac, smell the scent of freshly planted flowers and watch for clean tidy roads. all this will lead you to mr. ratzinger.
S. Camilleri
Apr 12th 2010, 20:35
Thanks to the Times for this itinerary but in truth, anybody could have easily guessed at it by following the trail of freshly laid tarmac! :)
Albert Pisani
Apr 17th 2010, 03:03
Mr.S.Camilleri, really as if you have a guest svisiting your home, I guess you will not clean and tidy everything before their arrival, to greet them in a nice clean house, I suppose when the guests leave they might also say, Mr Camilleri cleaned the house just for us .