News

Exterior of Valletta’s Ta’ Ġieżu church being restored

06/01/2023

The exterior of the historic Franciscan Church of St Mary of Jesus in Valletta – popularly known as the Ta’ Ġieżu church – is being restored through a €300,000 project overseen by the Restoration Directorate within the Ministry for the National Heritage, The Arts and Local Government.

The guardian of the church and adjoining convent, Fr Ramon Farrugia, told Newsbook.com.mt that the friars had dreamed of the opportunity to restore the exterior of the church… Read more »

Pope Francis describes Benedict as a ‘faithful friend’ of Jesus

05/01/2023

Thousands paid homage to Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday, with a funeral at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

Underlining Jesus’ last words on the cross “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” Pope Francis said these words summed up Benedict’s life.

In his homily during the funeral mass, Pope Francis said: “Holding fast to the Lord’s last words and to the witness of his entire life, we too, as an ecclesial community, want to follow in his steps and to commend our brother into the hands of the Father… Read more »

Our Lady of Sorrows shrine in Sliema damaged in construction works

04/01/2023

An old shrine for Our Lady of Sorrows in Sliema has suffered extensive damages as a result of construction works, though a restoration is being planned.

In a Facebook post, Sliema local council explained that during a renovation project undertaken by St Joseph School, which extends towards Tower Lane, saw the destruction of a wall over which the shrine was located.

The council deplored the act and called on the authorities to take action so that both the wall and the shrine are replaced as soon as possible… Read more »

Archbishop Scicluna stands by Benedict XVI’s record on handling clerical sex abuses

03/01/2023

The passing of Benedict XVI at the age of 95 has revived debate on his handling of clerical sex abuse cases, with critics questioning the handling of these cases by the Church. But Pope Benedict XVI record is staunchly defended by a cleric who has played an instrumental role in the Vatican’s handling of such cases: Archbishop Charles Scicluna.

Mgr Scicluna had served as Promoter of Justice within the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, effectively serving as the Vatican’s top prosecutor in cases of clerical misconduct… Read more »

Festa ta’ Ġenerożità raises €1,445,665 for Id- Dar tal-Providenza

02/01/2023

“Once again the people of Malta and Gozo have shown their generosity towards Dar tal-Providenza by donating €1,445,665 during Festa ta’ Ġenerożità. The funds raised will help the Home to continue providing the best residential services to 115 persons with disability that live in homes. Apart from this, the Home will be improving the environment in which the residents of Villa Papa Giovanni in Siġġiewi where extensive renovation works will be done.”   This was said by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, at the end of a twelve-hour televised marathon… Read more »

Pope Francis calls young widower on Christmas Day

01/01/2023

“Hello, this is Pope Francis.” This is how Giacomo Cofano, a father who had lost his wife after giving birth to twins a few days prior in a hospital in Brindisi, Italy, received the call on the afternoon of 25 December.

The Pope had been informed about this father of three’s situation by Fr Donato Luizzi.

Before calling Cofano, Pope Francis sent a letter to the priest, who has shared the whole story on his social media accounts… Read more »

Death of Benedict XVI: the condolences of the European bishops

31/12/2022

Photo: vaticannews.va

The Council of European Bishops’ Conferences joins the prayers of the whole world in suffrage for the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died today at the age of 95.

The President of the CCEE, H.E. Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, recalls in particular the “European magisterium that Benedict XVI developed during his pontificate, emphasizing the importance of Europe’s Christian roots and highlighting a necessary return to Christ and to the evangelization for the construction of a civilization of love”… Read more »

He was a great servant of the people of God – The Archbishop about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Archbishop Charles Scicluna's message about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

31/12/2022

Message by Archbishop Charles Scicluna

My heartfelt tribute to a great man, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. It is also a tribute to a great and wise man of the Church. He dedicated his life to teaching, to study. In his great humility and wisdom, he was a great servent of the people of God. His experience at Vatican Council II, opened up to him his mind and his heart, to the great horizons of the Catholic world, and to the people of God around the world… Read more »

Farewell to Benedict XVI: ‘Humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord’

31/12/2022

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has returned to the Father’s House.

The Holy See Press Office announced that the Pope Emeritus died at 9:34 AM on Saturday morning in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, which the 95-year-old Pope emeritus had chosen as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013.

“With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.  As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell.”

News of worsening health condition

Already for several days, the health conditions of Pope Emeritus had worsened due to advancing age, as the Press Office had reported in its updates on the evolving situation… Read more »