L‑Isqfijiet ta’ Malta u Għawdex jirringrazzjaw minn qalbhom lill‑poplu Malti u Għawdxi għall‑merħba mimlija ferħ, għożża u fidi li taw lill‑Qdusija Tiegħu l‑Papa Franġisku f’din “l‑art imdawla”, kif għoġbu jsejjaħ lil pajjiżna.

L‑Arċisqof ta’ Malta Charles Jude Scicluna, l‑Isqof ta’ Għawdex Anton Teuma u l‑Isqof Awżiljarju Joseph Galea‑Curmi qalu li dawn kienu jumejn li nisslu f’qalbna ferħ u paċi, u li saħħew fina l‑fiduċja li bħala pajjiż nistgħu nagħtu kontribut biex jilma l‑wiċċ sabiħ tal‑bniedem… Read more »

Immediately after the departure of the flight from Malta, his Holiness Pope Francis had the following telegram sent to the President of Malta, H.E. George William Vella:

His Excellency George Vella
President of Malta
Valletta

As I depart from Malta on my return to Rome, I express anew my deep gratitude to your excellency, the civil authorities and all the Maltese people for the heartfelt kindness and hospitality shown to me during my visit… Read more »

Most Blessed Father Francis,

It is an immense joy and a great honor to welcome you among us. Your presence confirms us in our Faith in Jesus and encourages us even more to put ourselves at the service of those who suffer and who need our closeness, our care and our comfort.

We know that these people, regardless of race or religious faith, are children of God, recipients of his unconditional, tender love… Read more »

Message by Pope Francis

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I greet all of you with great affection, and I am very happy to end my visit to Malta by spending some time here with you. I thank Father Dionisio for his welcome. I am also very grateful to Daniel and to Siriman for their testimonies: you opened your hearts and shared your lives, and at the same time gave a voice to so many of our brothers and sisters who were constrained to leave their homelands in search of a secure refuge… Read more »

Message of Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna

Your Holiness,

We thank you sincerely for your decision to visit us. Thank you for celebrating the Holy Eucharist with us. Thank you for your love for us.

May the word you have shared with us be a source of courage in life, light to our path, comfort in our trials.

In the first century after Christ’s Resurrection, these islands had the good fortune of receiving the light of the Gospel through God’s grace, thanks to the presence amongst us of our father in faith, St Paul the Apostle, whom Publius, the protos of the island, and the Maltese, welcomed “with unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2), together with two hundred and seventy-five other persons who found themselves shipwrecked on our shores… Read more »

Homily by Pope Francis

“Early in the morning Jesus came again to the temple; all the people came to him” (Jn 8:2). These words introduce the story of the woman caught in adultery. The background is serene: it is morning in the holy place, in the heart of Jerusalem. At the centre is the people of God, who are looking for Jesus, the Master, in the courtyard of the temple: they want to listen to him, because his words are insightful and heartwarming… Read more »

Beneath the Cross of Jesus, stood Mary and John. The Mother who had given birth to the Son of God mourned his death, even as darkness enveloped the world. The beloved disciple, who had left everything to follow him, now stood silent at the feet of the crucified Master. Everything seemed lost, finished, forever. Taking upon himself the woundedness of our humanity, Jesus prayed: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34)… Read more »

Testimonianza di Sandi e Domenic Apap

Sandi: Santità, io – Sandi – e mio marito Domenic ci siamo sposati 29 anni fa, dopo tre anni di fidanzamento. Dopo un anno, il Signore ci donò una figlia, Nicole, che poche settimane fa ci ha resi nonni, quando insieme a suo marito Christian ci hanno regalato la piccola Thea.

A 23 anni, dopo soli quattro anni di matrimonio, mi è stata diagnosticata una sclerosi multipla… Read more »

Welcome Address by Mgr Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo

Your Holiness,

We welcome you to our small island, small indeed but having a big heart. We welcome you to our homes and to Our Lady’s home, the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu.

A significant representation of the local Church is gathered around you this afternoon… Read more »