The funeral of Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi will be held at Gozo Cathedral in Victoria on Wednesday at 3.30 p.m.

Mgr Cauchi passed away at Mater Dei Hospital early this morning (Monday).

His body will be transported to Gozo tomorrow (Tuesday). The cortege leaves Mater Dei Hospital at 12.30 p.m. for Marfa.

It will be transported to Gozo on a patrol boat and will be welcomed at Mgarr at 2 p.m.

The cortege arrives at Gharb, Mgr Cauchi's home town, at 3 p.m.and the body will lie in state at Gharb parish church until 4.30 p.m.

It will then be taken to the Gozo Curia where it will lie in state from 5 p.m.. The clergy will gather to recite the rosary at 5.15 p.m. and the people can pay their respects from 6 p.m.

Bishop Mario Grech will lead a vigil at 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY'S POGRAMME

The people can also file past the body on Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The cortege leaves the Curia for the Cathedral on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and concelebrated funeral Mass starts at 3.30 p.m. It will be led by Mgr Grech. President George Abela will lead the congregation.

The Mass will be followed by interment at the Cathedral.

The Gozo Curia said that donations to the Gozo Sacred Heart Seminary would be appreciated.

Meanwhile, Gozo is in mourning, with flags flying as half mast and Church bells tolling to the memory of Mgr Cauchi, who led the diocese for 38 years. Comments by some of those who knew Mgr Cauchi in Gharb are shown in video above.