The bronze bust of Pope Pius V had been lying hidden from the public in the office of the Valletta local council for more than 10 years. This is a very beautiful and very large bronze bust that deserves to be seen in public. The marble base that has just been done by the Valletta local council plus the position chosen for the monument goes to show that the treatment of our local heritage should only be entrusted to the persons with the necessary know-how and experience.

The position of the monument is far from satisfactory. It is obvious that this is a compromise position for lack of anything better. But there are a multitude of places where the bust could have been placed.

Secondly, all monumental busts should have a leaner marble column and certainly not of the size chosen by the Valletta local council. This base is completely out of proportion and smells of someone who thinks very highly of himself. The emphasis should be on the bronze bust and not on the base. It really amazes me how a permit for such a monstrosity in one of our main squares of Valletta was given by Mepa, if indeed it was.