Many column inches have been dedicated to the 26-hour pilgrimage of Pope Benedict XVI in the footsteps of St Paul. But some details never made the headlines.

• During the papal Mass, Pope Benedict XVI, 83, nodded off three times. He did not sleep very well between Saturday and Sunday since he was in a new bed but he then he rested for an hour in the afternoon after lunch and was energised by the enthusiasm of the thousands of young people who packed the Valletta Waterfront.

• When they were called in to meet the Pope at the Palace, Speaker Louis Galea turned and warned the ministers and their spouses waiting behind him that once they set foot inside the room they would be appearing live on television. He specifically urged, "Did you hear me Austin", drawing the attention of the fun-loving Communications Minister Austin Gatt.

• After the papal Mass, people were plucking yellow flowers as souvenirs from the floral arrangements decorating the pathway that led to the altar.

• The hot dog vans parked near the Granaries, Floriana, packed up and left as soon as the papal Mass was over - just when people were getting hungry. They must have been happy with the business they got from people who got peckish during Mass and were seen nibbling chips and hotdogs just before receiving Holy Communion!

• 16,380 photos were taken by the 16 photographers of the Department of Information during the Pope's 27-hour trip, while the DOI-coordinated team of five videographers took 2,160 minutes of footage.

• A woman waiting to see the Pope pass through Marsa confused the Popemobile with Playmobil.

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