The Pope has urged the Maltese government to ensure wealth created through economic progress reached those in the vulnerable strata of society.

Pope Francis said he hoped that “with this economic progress, opportune initiatives are taken and increased to ameliorate citizens’ quality of life”.

He made the comments in a message delivered to President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca through the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico.

The message was read aloud after the Nuncio presented his letter of credence.

“It is well known that the Holy Father and the Holy See look at Malta with a privileged attention for the multisecular history of solid ties between this nation and the Holy See and for the ecclesial dynamism of this Catholic community,” the Nuncio said.

He said the Holy Father followed Malta’s contribution to the European Union closely, especially on the “sad situations of conflict in the Mediterranean and worrisome migration towards Europe”.

Mgr D’Errico said that over the past few weeks since his arrival in Malta, he had noted the active cooperation of the Catholic community in achieving high standards of human and social welfare.