Gozo mourned Mgr Nikol Cauchi this afternoon as his body was taken back to the sister island from Mater Dei Hospital, where the Bishop Emeritus died early yesterday.

Nowhere was the mourning more evident than at his hometown Gharb.

A fireworks salute was fired and a band played solemn marches as the hearse carrying Mgr Cauchi arrived at the tiny village and stopped outside the bishop's former residence.

Villagers carried the coffin into the packed church amid applause while a choir sang.

Bishop Cuachi was then taken to the Gozo Curia in Victoria where he is lying in state until tomorrow at 1 p.m.

The public can visit until midnight today and from 9 a.m. tomorrow. Soon after his arrival at the Curia, priests gathered and said the rosary around him.

Earlier in the afternoon, Gozitan parish priests and seminarians gathered on the quay at Mgarr Harbour to greet the body of Mgr Cauchi, after it was transported from Marfa on a patrol boat.

There was applause from the priests and a small crowd of people as the coffin was borne by six officers from Patrol Boat P-24 to a waiting hearse.

Bishop Mario Grech, who had accompanied Mgr Cauchi on his final journey from Mater Dei Hospital, led prayers.

Also with the late bishop on the patrol boat were his brother Maurice and Fr Renato Borg, Mgr Cauchi's pastoral secretary for 19 years.

The hearse left Mater Dei Hospital at 12.30 pm. Traffic was brought to a halt as it made its way from the hospital to Marfa. Flags flew at half mast and bells tolled a final farewell.

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

The cortège tomorrow leaves the Curia for the Cathedral 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.