Giggles, shrieks as enthusiastic children greet Pope Benedict

Giggles and high-pitched screams resonated throughout Valletta yesterday afternoon as thousands of children prepared to sing Happy Birthday to Pope Benedict XVI.

Apart from the 5,000 children who were selected to sing to the Pope in St George's Square, hundreds of other little ones in the crowd outside the square joined in with the chorus and sang the song so familiar to them.

After reciting the song, three little girls standing with their parents on the outskirts of the square started counting - aiming to reach the Pope's age.

But when they reached seven, one of the girls stopped and wondered: "How old is the Pope?" Clearly, she had not learnt to count to 83 yet.

Pope Benedict celebrated his birthday last Friday, and the choir of 5,000 children from various schools and religious organisations were chosen to wish him many happy returns.

Groups of children started gathering in Valletta at about 3 p.m. As they queued in Merchants Street, many admitted that although they knew who the Pope was, they had made an effort to learn more about him due to the visit.

"I know that he has a piano," one boy said, while another added that he had also learnt that the Pope liked reading and had a large library.

"If I had to imagine what his character is like, I think he is kind and calm," one nine-year-old girl said as she reflected on the fact that he was the head of the Church and the successor of St Peter.

"He is the man after God... So, he's like God," one boy said shyly. One 10-year-old girl said she had been looking forward to see the Pope "for a very long time".

"I dreamt that I jumped on him and hugged him," she giggled - unaware that the last unplanned "jump" directed at the Pope was at Christmastime by a woman who gained international media attention for her action.

As the children waited in the square for the arrival of the pontiff, they rehearsed their songs and let off shrill screams whenever a helicopter flew over them.

The screams reached their peak when the Pope arrived in the square aboard his popemobile, when they waved their yellow and white scarves and shouted Viva l-Papa.

After disappearing into the Palace in Valletta the Pope emerged on the balcony overlooking the square where he addressed the children who sang Oh Happy Day and Happy Birthday in various languages including English, German, Italian and Maltese.