As was pertinently stated in an editorial (July 10), instead of posing for photo opportunities with the Pope, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat would do better to listen to what he had to say. So should all those church-goers who support his stand.

The Prime Minister – just like all people of goodwill – would equally do well to become familiar with Pope Francis’ personality that is full of inner strength reflected in his love, joy and empathy. He is the first Pope who in the Maundy Thursday celebration kissed the feet of the young delinquents, bringing to them the warmth of the love of Jesus. This is the kind of new Papacy we are authentically experiencing.

The Pope reminds us not to be afraid to be joyful while also reminding us to be aware of the threat of globalisation of indifference and, therefore, of the importance of solidarity.

This is the Pope who invites a scavenger friend for his inauguration ceremony. Sergio Sanchez from Buenos Aires was there among presidents and kings. Three days later, Sanchez was in Buenos Aires sifting through the city’s garbage, same as many of these ‘irregular immigrants’ do in our country.

Some time back, former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi – with great humanity – made us proud when he handled so excellently the Libya crisis, saving precious lives to the extent that Malta was referred to as the Good Samaritan of the Mediterranean.

Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil, while respecting international law, leads in the same direction and has the potential to exert pressure for solutions other than utterly inhuman ones.

His predecessor still remains a beacon of humanity.

So is – on a much wider scale – our dear Pope Francis presenting something which is strikingly new. The world, and Malta for that matter, renowned for generosity when it comes to money donations, is in need of this fresh, regenerating breeze.