Pope Benedict XVI yesterday urged the Maltese to defend the sacrament of marriage and extend a hand of friendship to immigrants as he started a two-day pilgrimage to Malta in the footsteps of St Paul.

In his first foreign trip since allegations of child abuse surfaced in the US and Europe, the Pope told the media accompanying him on the Alitalia flight to Malta that the Church "is wounded by its sins".

"Malta loves Christ, who loves his Church which is his body, even if this body is wounded by our sins," he said moments before the plane touched down at the airport just before 5 p.m.

It was initially feared the Pope's trip would be delayed or possibly postponed after several airlines were grounded yesterday as the cloud of volcanic ash continued to spread across Europe.

In his first address to the nation, the Pope, who marks five years at the helm tomorrow, stopped short of referring to the scandal.

It was President George Abela who made a clearer reference in his welcome speech when he said Church and State were duty-bound to work together to enact legislation which helped curb cases of abuse "so that justice will not only be done, but seen to be done".

However, nothing was going to mar the enthusiasm of the Maltese, who lined the streets to greet the head of the Catholic Church. The Pope, who had Happy Birthday sang to him by children gathered in St George's Square, Valletta, also visited the Grotto of St Paul in Rabat.

The highlight of his programme today is an open air Mass on the granaries in Floriana at 10 a.m. He is due to return to Rome this evening.

Programme for today

9.15 a.m. Departs from Apostolic Nunciature, Tal-Virtù.

10 a.m. Mass at the Granaries.

12.20 p.m. Leaves for Apostolic Nunciature.

4 p.m. Departs from Nunciature for Kalkara.

4.45 p.m. Arrives at Kalkara Creek and boards the catamaran.

5.15 p.m. Meets youngsters at Valletta Waterfront.

6.40 p.m. Departure ceremony.