Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Malta on Saturday at 5 p.m. on his first visit to Malta and the third by a Pope since 1989.
Pope Benedict has already established a link with Malta, having canonised Dun Gorg Preca in Rome, after he was beatified by Pope John Paul II during his second visit to Malta.
The following is the programme of the Pope's two days in Malta and the routes to be taken by the Pope. The Popemobile will not stop as it takes the Pope to his various engagements.
Saturday, April 17.
5 p.m. Pope arrives at Malta International Airport.
- Salute by the Guard of Honour
- Welcoming Address by President George Abela.
- Address by Pope Benedict.
5.45 p.m. Pope Benedict leaves the airport for Valletta. He will be driven through Gudja, Luqa, Marsa, Blata l-Bajda, Floriana and Valletta.
6 p.m. Pope is driven into Valletta through Republic Street.
6.16 p.m. Pope arrives at the President's Palace, Valletta.
7.15 p.m. Pope leaves the Palace Valletta for St Paul's Grotto, Rabat, following this route: Valletta, Floriana, Pieta', Msida, Gzira, Sliema, St Julians, San Gwann, Naxxar, Mosta and Rabat.
7.45 p.m. Pope Benedict meets Maltese missionaries at St Paul's Church, Rabat and prays in St Paul's grotto.
The Pope will then appear on the parvis of St Paul's Church.
- Address by Archbishop Paul Cremona
- Address by Pope Benedict.
8.15 p.m. Pope Benedict goes to the Apostolic Nunciature at Tal-Virtu', where he will be staying.
Sunday April 18.
9.15 a.m. Pope leaves the Apostolic Nunciature in Rabat for the Granaries using the following route: Rabat, Attard, Balzan, Birkirkara, Fleur-de-Lys, Sta Venera, Hamrun, Blata l-Bajda and Floriana.
9.35 a.m. Pope Benedict arrives at the Granaries, Floriana. He will be driven through the crowd to St Publius Church.
10 a.m. Pope celebrates Mass on the Granaries.
12.10 p.m. Regina Coeli.
12.20 p.m. The Pope leaves the Granaries for Rabat in a closed car.
4.15 p.m. The Pope leaves the Apostolic Nunciature for Kalkara along Rabat, Zebbug, Qormi, Marsa, Paola, Fgura, Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Kalkara.
4.35 p.m. Pope Benedict arrives at Kalkara and boards a catamaran to cross the harbour for Valletta Waterfront.
5.15 p.m. Pope Benedict arrives at Valletta Waterfront for a meeting with young people.
There will be a concert by local bands starting at 2.30 p.m.
After the Pope arrives there will be an address by the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, followed by dialogue with those present and replies by the Pope.
6.15 p.m. The Pope leaves Valletta Waterfront for the airport. He will be driven through Valletta, Floriana, Blata l-Bajda, Marsa, Tal-Barrani, Ghaxaq and Gudja.
6.40 p.m. Departure ceremony at Malta International Airport.
-Salute by the Guard of Honour.
- Address by President George Abela.
- Address by Pope Benedict.
7.10 p.m. - Pope departs.