Fr Maximillian Mizzi, a Franciscan friar, who died on Monday aged 77 had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 in recognition of his work to promote ecumenism and spread peace.
Fr Mizzi spent half a century residing in Assisi, the town associated with St Francis himself, where he promoted ecumenism and peace.
Giosi, as he was known among relatives, was born on October 28, 1930 in Vittoriosa. He spent his childhood residing in Gudja and then Paola, until he joined the Franciscan Friars following World War II.
He was ordained on March 26, 1955 and served both in Malta and in Gozo until the General Minister for Conventual Minors recruited him as headmaster of the novices in Assisi.
It was through his initiative that the Franciscan Minors Conventual Order set up the International Franciscan Centre for Dialogue, of which he was appointed director. The centre, which established a close relationship with the Vatican, was the result of his continuous work to promote ecumenism and dialogue among different religions.
Fr Mizzi participated in numerous international ecumenical encounters, meeting various personalities, religious leaders and politicians. These included George Bush, Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, the Dalai Lama, Yasser Arafat, Queen Elizabeth and Mother Teresa.
His efforts were crowned in October 1986, during the historical meeting for peace which included the participation of Pope John Paul II. This was the first of six meetings centred round peace.
Fr Mizzi's work was appreciated and acknowledged around the globe. The Pope sent him a letter of appreciation and his blessing through the Secretariat of the Vatican State and presented him with the Silver Medal in 1976.
Anglican Archbishop Robert Runcie awarded him the St Augustine Cross in 1987 and the Catholic Institute of Texas conferred him with a Doctorate of Letters.
In 1999, President Guido de Marco appointed him Companion of The National Order of Merit. It was the Centro Pro Mundo, together with a number of professors and the Maltese government that nominated Fr Mizzi for the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1999. Doctors Without Borders had won the prize.
Fr Mizzi died in his room at the Sacred Convent of Assisi. His funeral was held on Wednesday at the Basilica of Assisi, where St Francis is buried. At 3 p.m., the time of the funeral, Mass was also celebrated for the repose of Fr Mizzi's soul at the church of St Francis in Valletta with the participation of his Maltese Franciscan brothers, relatives and friends.
Fr Mizzi will, no doubt, be remembered as an instrument of peace.