Pope says Malta's welcome was 'really extraordinary'

Pope Benedict XVI has described the "warm welcome" given by the Maltese as "really extraordinary" and expressed his gratitude to the country's authorities and the people.

"For almost 2,000 years, the history of that people has been inseparable from the Catholic faith, which characterises their culture and traditions. It is said that there are 365 churches in Malta, 'one for each day of the year', a visible symbol of this profound faith," he said.

The Pontiff yesterday dedicated his speech during his weekly public audience in St Peter's Square, Rome, to his Malta trip.

He said after 2,000 years from St Paul's visit, the Maltese were still faithful to the Gospel and sought to associate it with the complex questions of modern age, something that was not always easy or automatic.

However, he said, the Maltese found answers to the new challenges in the Christian view of life, which was especially shown through the profound respect for the unborn child and the sacredness of marriage.

He said that despite its geographical position, Malta was not isolated from the world and retained contacts with various countries, and there were also Maltese priests in many other nations.

"The strategic position of this small archipelago obviously attracted the attention of various political and military powers. Yet nonetheless, the most profound vocation of Malta is its Christian vocation; in other words, the universal vocation of peace. The famous Maltese Cross... has never lost its authentic and perennial significance; it is the sign of love and reconciliation, and this is the true vocation of peoples who welcome and embrace the Christian message," he said.

Pope Benedict described his meeting with young people at the Valletta Waterfront as a "moment of profound and intense dialogue", rendered more beautiful by the Grand Harbour and the enthusiasm of youths.

In his speech he also reiterated the Church's determination to tackle abuse by clergy, three days after meeting a group of alleged victims during his 27-hour visit to the island.

"I shared their suffering, and greatly moved, prayed with them," he said in his first public comments about the issue since he met the eight men on Sunday afternoon.

He said he assured the victims the Catholic Church would take action against abuse.

Similarly to the press release issued by the Holy See following Sunday's meeting, Pope Benedict referred to the men as "victims of clergy abuse", rather than "alleged victims", even though the local dioceses' response team and the Maltese courts have not yet closed their respective cases.

The men, who claim to have been abused by priests while living at St Joseph's Home in Sta Venera, will be meeting President George Abela tomorrow. Ten men have been testifying in court in a case behind closed doors that has been going on since 2003.

The Pontiff again spoke about the immigration problem faced by the island, which lay "at the centre of migration routes" that "naturally brings problems; complex humanitarian, political and juridical problems".

He said the solutions "must be sought with perseverance and tenacity, harmonising efforts at the international level", adding this should be done in all nations that have Christian values at their root.

His Holiness called for the "intercession of the Apostle Paul, of St Ġorġ Preca, priest and the first Maltese saint, and of the Virgin Mary... that the faithful of Malta and Gozo may always grow in peace and prosperity".

In a short press release, Archbishop Paul Cremona and Bishop Mario Grech yesterday expressed their gratitude to Pope Benedict for his "attention and love" shown during last weekend's visit. They thanked the people for their heartfelt welcome and the organisers. The bishops said they were committed to reflect on the teachings of the Pope.