President Eddie Fenech Adami and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi are expected to attend the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday, government officials told The Times yesterday.

Meanwhile, President Eddie Fenech Adami on Tuesday asked Pope Benedict XVI to bless Malta and its people.

In a letter congratulating the new Pope, Dr Fenech Adami said he wanted to express his sense of profound joy, on behalf of the people of Malta, on his election as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church.

"You assume your appointment at a poignant time following the passing away of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, who led the Catholic Church with courage and example. The people of Malta uphold the values and principles of Christianity and look forward to the contribution that your Holiness will make to strengthen these values," Dr Fenech Adami wrote.

"May I avail myself of this opportunity to express to you my conviction that the good relations between Malta and the Holy See will continue to develop and strengthen. I, on my part, assure you of my continued support for the achievement of this objective."

President Fenech Adami wished Pope Benedict XVI every success for the mission entrusted to him as head of the Catholic Church.

"I avail myself of this opportunity to ask your Holiness to bless Malta and its people," Dr Fenech Adami said.

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