(Published August 12, 2009)
The Pope is to make a one-day visit to Malta in April, informed sources said today.
The Curia confirmed that Dr Alberto Gasbarri, who is responsible for Papal trips, will be visiting Malta next month to explore the possibility of a Papal visit. The government welcomed the announcement on behalf of the people.
It will be Pope Benedict's first visit to Malta and follows a formal invitation by President George Abela during his visit to the Vatican in June.
The highlight of the Pope's visit is to be Mass on the Granaries in Floriana.
His visit will be held to mark the 1950th anniversary of the arrival of St Paul in Malta.
Dr Abela said during his Vatican visit that he had mentioned the special anniversary to the Pope and told him it would present a unique opportunity for him to come to Malta. The reaction of the Pope, who did not seem to be aware of the anniversary, was positive, the President said. He brought the subject up again later during the audience and said that, if possible, he would keep this appointment with the Maltese.
"I asked him to at least make a one-day visit. He mentioned that the flight was only an hour long. "At the end of our audience he looked me straight in the eye and said: 'I hope to see you next year'."
Pope John Paul II visited Malta in 1990 and again in 2001, the latter for the beatification of three Maltese.
CURIA STATEMENT
The Curia in a statement this morning said that Dr Alberto Gasbarri will be visiting Malta in October to explore the possibility of a Papal visit. on the occasion of the 1950th anniversary of St Paul's shipwreck.
It recalled how His holiness had been invited to visit Malta by the President and the Bishops of Malta.
"The Bishops of Malta would like to encourage the faithful to pray for the Maltese islands to be blessed with a visit by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI."
GOVERNMENT WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT
The government in a statement welcomed the announcement of Dr Gasbarri's visit
"On behalf of the people of Malta and Gozo, the government welcomes the announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Mata, after Pope John Paul II visited Malta twice and was also here on a stopover during his trip to another country."
The Curia said Pope Benedict XVI has made twelve Apostolic Visits outside Italy. In September this year, His Holiness will visit the Czech Republic.
The first Pope to visit Malta was John Paul II in May 1990. Held between the 25th and 27th May, this visit was the Pope's 48th Apostolic Trip outside Italy in the first 12 years of his Pontificate.
On the 8th May 2001, His Holiness visited Malta once again as part of his Pauline pilgrimage during which he also visited Greece and Syria. On the second and last day of his visit, His Holiness beatified Dun Ġorġ Preca, Nazju Falzon and Adeodata Pisani.
The Curia recalled how in 1960, major celebrations were also held in Malta to mark that special anniversary of St Paul's visit. According to tradition, St Paul was shipwrecked in Malta in 60 A.D.
Last year, Pope Benedict XVI declared a year dedicated to Saint Paul, known as the Pauline Year. In Malta, the diocese of both Malta and Gozo organised various initiatives during which the faithful were encouraged to reflect on Saint Paul. To end the Pauline Year, Pope Benedict XVI sent his delegate to Malta, Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, to preside over the Eucharistic celebration held outside St. John's Co-Cathedral.
"St. Paul's shipwreck in Malta is of utmost importance to all Christians, particularly to the Maltese since it is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 28, 1-2: "Once we had come safely through, we discovered that the island was called Malta. The inhabitants treated us with unusual kindness."