A processing apparatus for processing elements, which are contained in a message received via a network, by an application is provided. The apparatus includes a selection unit configured to select, in accordance with the number of elements contained in the received message, whether conversion of an element to a form by the application is carried out in response to or prior to a request from the application, a storage unit configured to store an element, which is converted to a form by the application, in response to a request from the application, a read-out unit configured to read an element, which has been requested by the application, out of the storage unit, and a conversion unit configured to convert an element to a form by the application in response to and prior to a request from the application in accordance with the selection.