Five months after Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona tendered his resignation citing health reasons, Mgr Charles Scicluna was welcomed as the new head of the Maltese Church in an official ceremony yesterday.

The reading of the papal decree before the congregation at St Paul’s Cathedral was the highlight of ceremonies which started several hours earlier when Mgr Scicluna arrived at the parish church of his hometown of Lija.

Even the sun came out to greet Mgr Scicluna on his way to the cathedral. During his homily, Mgr Scicluna, 55, promised to treat every member of his flock with kindness and, when necessary, to fend off the “wolf with the staff”.