Gozo bishop Mario Grech has called for God’s blessing on the Pope, today being his 83rd birthday.

In a statement, Mgr Grech said life was always a motive to thank God, particularly in the case of the Pope who gave his life to Christ, the Church and humanity.

It was satisfying that in these days of preparation for the visit there was ever-growing enthusiasm in the Gozo diocese and around 100 priests from Gozo were to join the Pope in the celebration of Mass on the Granaries wile more than 1,000 pilgrims from the sister island were to be present for the Mass. This was besides the around 800 young Gozitans who were to be greeting the Pope at the Waterfront.

He thanked the Gozo Ministry and the Gozo Channel for offering a free service from Mgarr to Sa Maison and back for the occasion.

Mgr Grech said he was convinced that the elderly and the sick would be offering their prayers and sacrifices for the Pope.

He thanked the Gozitans who have been working on the visit for months including Dorienne Portelli, Richard Grech, Mro John Galea and Mario Abela.

He appealed to the Church in Gozo to pray to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, especially through the Rosary.