Some 1,000 high-ranking clerics are taking part in the event. They come from 283 dioceses in 81 countries.

Today, the congress will have the Mediterranean Conference Centre as its venue. Two conferences, one on Paul, evangelisation and the challenge of the encounter of cultures, and the other on Trinitarian holiness of the priest, will be held.

In the afternoon, there will be four penitential rites followed by confessions in four parishes around Malta. A solemn Mass will be celebrated at the Mosta Dome at 6pm.

The convention will come to a close on Friday afternoon with the act of consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary following a Mass at 4.30pm in Gozo, celebrated by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

Pope John Paul II will address the convention tomorrow through satellite communication