Mit-Times :

The outline of a boat with its mast in the shape of a cross sketched in the Pope's official colours - yellow and white against a blue background - will be the official logo for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Malta in April.

The winning logo, drawn by 26-year-old Mario Abela, brings out the significance of the Pontiff's visit, which will mark the anniversary of St Paul's Shipwreck almost 1,950 years ago, Mgr Charles Cordina said.

Speaking during a press conference, Mgr Cordina said the logo was very simple but also very touching.

It was chosen by a panel of judges from 24 designs submitted by 17 people. The winner, Mr Abela, is Gozitan and works as a teacher in St Tereża College, Birkirkara.

The Pope will arrive in Malta in the afternoon of April 17. He will go on to meet state authorities, followed by a visit to St Paul's Grotto in Rabat.

On Sunday morning, April 18, he will celebrate Mass at the Granaries in Floriana.

In the evening, young people will be given the chance to make their voice heard as a number of seats will be reserved for them during an open-air Papal activity at the Valletta Waterfront.

Fr Savio Vella said seats can be booked online closer to the event. The gates will open at 1 p.m. and rock bands, musicians and dancers will entertain the crowd until the Pope's arrival at 5.15 p.m.

St Monica's Choir, led by Sr Beniamina Portelli, was chosen to sing during the religious ceremony that will be held at St Paul's Grotto while auditions will be held to set up two separate choirs, of adults and children, for the Mass that will be celebrated on the Granaries.

The auditions for the adult choir will be held over two days, January 29 and 30, while those for the children's choir will be held on February 6.

Four official mementos, which include a DVD and a book, will be available to commemorate Pope Benedict XVI's visit, Fr Anton Portelli said. People will also be able to buy, or pre-book, a silver medal or a silver-plated one.

The Pontiff will arrive in Malta the day after his 83rd birthday and will leave the day before the fifth anniversary of his election to the Catholic Church's highest office.

He is expected to stay at the Apostolic Nunciature in Rabat, which is the official embassy of the Vatican's representative in Malta.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100109/local/teacher-wins-contest-for-logo-of-papal-visit