Archbishop Paul Cremona, OP, Bishop Mario Grech and Auxiliary Bishop Charles J. Scicluna will be celebrating thanksgiving Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral on 6 March, to thank God for the services given by Pope Benedict XVI during his pontificate.

Prayers will also be said for his successor.

This week all parish churches and churches are celebrating thanksgiving Mass for the Pope, and at noon yesterday church bells pealed for 15 minutes in thanksgiving to God.

Before the conclave for the election of a pope Mass will be celebrated. The opening of the conclave will be marked with bell pealing for 15 minutes at 8am, and when the new Pope’s election and name are announced, bells will peal again for 15 minutes.