The children’s choir for the Pope’s visit will be singing Happy Birthday to the Pope as he appears on the Palace balcony on Saturday, a day after turning 83.
About 5,000 children aged between eight and 12 will be welcoming the Pope in St George’s Square, Valletta. A choir of 500 children has been formed and they have been rehearsing for the past six weeks.
The children taking part in the activity will be arriving in Valletta from specific pick-up points by organised transport. John Gera, from the Civil Protection Department, said that after the event parents should not pick up their children from Valletta but from the designated pick-up point.
An area in St George’s Square has been designated for wheelchairs, and volunteers from St John’s Rescue, St John’s Ambulance, Red Cross and Paramedics will be on site.
Organising committee chairman Charles Bonello said that children will be in a secure area and another barrier is being set up for those who needed to get out but still be in the secure area.
Children taking part will be wearing a bandana and identification.
Mr Bonello said the Pope Mobil will drive His Holiness directly inside the Palace. He will then use the lift, accompanied by the President. He will be taken to the Pages Chamber for an exchange of gifts.
This will be followed by a private meeting and an official photo in the Ambassador’s Room. The Pope will then meet Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi, followed by the Cabinet, the Speaker and Opposition leader Joe Muscat and Mrs Muscat.
The Pope will greet the people on the balcony and then meet MPs in the Tapestry Chamber.
It is not clear whether the Pope will meet and speak to the children.
When asked why MPs had to be accredited to get into the Palace. Mr Bonello said this was a decision taken months ago as the committee could not give different levels of security.
Anyone entering particular areas has to be accredited.
There were enough measures in place so that even if the security risk on the Pope went up in the coming days, Malta would be covered.
“This is an important visit and we cannot fail,” Mr Bonello said.
Video shows the choir during rehearsals.