Kalkara has laid out the red carpet for Pope Benedict and hundreds of people have gathered in a festa atmosphere along the seafront.

His Holiness will be crossing over from Kalkara to the Valletta Waterfront on a Catamaran for a meeting with youths.

Kalkara's streets have been decorating with huge flags and other festa decorations. Band marches are being played. Regatta boats will accompany the Pope's Catamaran during the crossing.