I am writing this piece too early in the week to guess today's weather or size of crowd. I will not try to predict the former. However, I am ready to bet that a big and enthusiastic crowd will meet the Pope. Notwithstanding the fact that Benedict XVI does not have the charisma of John Paul II, the Maltese will still welcome the Pope; if not for his charisma, they will welcome him for the charisma of his ministry: Vicar of Christ.

This introduction reads, and in fact is, a trifle triumphalistic. I do it purposely as I want to bask in the warmth of this collective magic moment before facing the cold realities being experienced by our Church and which were brought to the fore during the preparation for the Papal visit.

This is the third visit by a Pope to an ever-changing country. Malta is today more secular than 20 years ago. The preparatory period was this time characterised by many controversies, most of which were not as jocular as the one about the Luqa monument.

The controversy about the expenses for the visit is just an artificially blown-up soap bubble. Similar noises were made after one of John Paul's visits. When one considers that for a per capita expense of just two euros we got a papal visit, tons of enthusiasm, a lick of paint to many public buildings, tarmac-covered roads and millions worth of TV publicity, I don't think we got a bad deal.

The controversy about the invitations is more serious for two reasons. It is further evidence of the ever-increasing numbers of broken marriages and the change of public attitudes. Cohabiting couples would not have expected an invitation to a papal Mass 20 years ago; today they are demanding it!

I am worried by the dithering attitude of the Church. We were first given a principled reason why 'partners' were not invited. This was a reason many people empathised with, even if they disagreed.

Then It-Torċa and Malta Today sensationalised it beyond recognition and many thought separated or cohabiting couples were not welcome at papal events.

When it became too hot, it seems the Church decided to get out of the kitchen, saying it had just followed the protocol list. If next time round the guest lists supplied includes gay couples, would the Church invite them? Let us please stick to principled positions, even if they are controversial.

The visit to Malta comes in the throes of the child abuse allegations being made in several European countries. The Maltese version of this tragedy was brought forward by 10 men who are alleging that they were abused by four religious. For the past eight years this case has been investigated by the Curia's Response Team and the courts.

Both institutions failed these men and those that are being accused. Both institutions are guilty of denying justice because they delayed justice. We should all be thankful to Archbishop Paul Cremona for meeting these men without any prejudice to the juridical dimension of the cases. His pastoral solicitude, once more, prevailed over a very difficult situation.

It would be wrong to expect miracles following a papal visit. They did not happen when John Paul II came and will not happen now. However, such a visit is more than worth it if it succeeds in creating enough enthusiasm to make many reflect on their own life and make them strive for more consistency between believing and living both in their personal as well as their public spheres.

joseph.borg@um.edu.mt