Britain's The Catholic Herald has called on its readers to remember the Pope in their prayers this Pentecost, as well as Malta’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith, no newcomer on Malta affairs, said he hoped  that Gianluca Bezzina brings Malta to victory in this year’s contest.

In his blog, he told his readers that Pentecost is the third greatest feast in the Christian calendar. He called for prayers for the Pope, for evangelisation, and for vocations.

On the Eurovision, he said he has been watching the the contest since 1971, the year when Malta first entered and came bottom.

"I was very young, but the disappointment was very hard to take, even then. And over the years I have hoped that one day Malta would win. Now, 42 years later, is it possible that her time has come? I have not listened to all the songs by any means, but the Maltese entry, sung by Gianluca Bezzina, strikes me as excellent. Just what the doctor ordered – and of course, the man singing it is a doctor!"

He referred readers to a link to the Maltese entry and said it was nice that  the Daily Mirror was supporting Gianluca.

"Now he’s got the unshakeable allegiance of this paper, he must be unstoppable," he said.

The final night of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place tonight. Gianluca Bezzina will be the ninth singer among 24 finalists.