Archbishop Charles Scicluna celebrated a thanksgiving Mass at the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori Le Mura, in Rome, on Dar tal-Providenza’s foundation day. This year, the home is celebrating the 50th anniversary since it was founded by Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi.

As part of these special celebrations, a group of 27 residents were taken to Rome for a meeting with Pope Francis after the recital of the Angelus. The encounter took place at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican City.

The Archbishop was accompanied by Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona, the home’s director Fr Martin Micallef, the management and a number of carers.

Also invited to this thanksgiving Mass were the Maltese resident in Rome, including Malta’s Ambassador, Vanessa Frazier.

Mgr Scicluna said that 50 years ago, with the will of Dun Mikiel Azzopardi, a Maltese diocesan priest, Malta saw the beginning of an adventure of a particular healing. A category of our people slowly started to get back their dignity. These people, because of circumstances of shame, social taboo or maybe the result of disagreements or sheer ignorance, were left in cellars.

He urged the Maltese to continue respecting the dignity of every person, whoever he or she may be, of every human being with whatever talent he or she has even though they might feel less fortunate than others.

Mgr Charles Scicluna celebrating thanksgiving Mass.