The will he/won’t he saga is over. Yesterday it became known that Mgr Charles Scicluna will be Malta’s next Archbishop.

Various names have been mentioned since Archbishop Paul Cremona stepped down for health reasons last year, but in reality few should be surprised that Mgr Scicluna is his successor.

He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop in 2012 with the specific task of assisting what the Vatican already knew at that time was an Archbishop who was struggling to cope with the rigorous demands of his office. It seemed only logical that he was being looked upon as the man to take over.

There was an intervening factor, of course, which some in the global Church have considered divine: that is elevation of Francis as Pope after Pope Benedict XVI, who had full faith in Mgr Scicluna and indeed sent him back to Malta, unexpectedly resigned.

Since Pope Francis had shaken up much that needed to be shaken up in the Holy See, would he also change tack when it came to appointing certain bishops? The answer, it transpires in Malta’s case, is an emphatic no.

Although the Apostolic Nuncio has more input than anybody into the appointment of a diocesan bishop, Pope Francis handed Mgr Scicluna a very public vote of confidence when he selected him to head a Vatican College that considers appeals moved before the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith related to serious offences by priests.

This was a return of sorts to the Vatican fold for Mgr Scicluna, who established a reputation as a strict enforcer in his role as Promoter of Justice in the same Congregation under Pope Benedict. It should also not be lost on anybody that his more recent appointment at the Holy See puts him alongside several cardinals.

Mgr Scicluna’s stature – if not in physical terms – means he certainly has what it takes to make that grade, and it is also positive for Malta that its new Archbishop is a man of standing within the global Church.

However, the 55-year-old has challenges in abundance. He has to grapple with a Church that is experiencing declining attendances and waning influence in a country that is still one of the most Catholic in the world, as well as one that has been bruised by clerical abuse scandals (even though this problem is not as widespread as some people try and make out).

Especially in recent weeks, when he showed signs that he already knew he was about to be appointed, Mgr Scicluna has shown that he is prepared to take the bull by the horns.

He speaks out vociferously on issues that are close to his heart – this is certainly not a characteristic shared by his predecessors – and has always adopted an embracing approach to the media.

He has the intelligence to recognise that in the modern age one cannot tell people what to think, but one can only try and persuade them with the forcefulness of argument, ideas and, of course, by reinforcing their faith.

In this he has already been aided by the current Pope, who has bashed down walls in his admirable effort to reach the people.

Mgr Scicluna needs to follow in his footsteps, by not only being the affable straight-talker and realist that he is – but also by grasping with both hands the simplicity of his superior’s approach.

The task ahead of him is anything but simple, but with determination and support there is every possibility that he can do good things. We certainly wish him well.