Hundreds of people late yesterday greeted the image of Our Lady Ta' Pinu when it was returned to the basilica after having been taken to Malta for the Papal Mass on the granaries on Sunday.
Archbishop Paul Cremona led Mass outside Ta' Pinu with the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Tommaso Capputo, Gozo bishop Mario Grech and bishops Annetto Depasquale and Nikol Cauchi.
President George Abela and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi led the congregation.
In Malta, the image of Ta'Pinu was venerated first at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Sanctuary in Valleta and later at Mosta Church. The pilgrimage back to Gozo stopped briefly at the shrine of Our Lady in Mellieha.