President George Abela this evening thanked Pope Benedict for finding the time to personally meet Maltese victims of alleged child abuse.

In his farewell speech just before His Holiness left Malta, Dr Abela said:

“We were all moved today to learn that you personally met victims who allege abuse who requested to see you and that they found comfort in your words that I am sure will relieve some of the pain they have suffered for many years.

“Your sensitivity to their plight fills us with joy and I wish to thank you for finding the time to personally address this delicate issue.”

The President told Pope Benedict that his spirit would stay on “to continue nourishing our faith for a long time to come”.

Dr Abela said:

“Your blessings have fortified our faith, your gentle manners and kind words have warmed our hearts, your fatherly concern for our youth has endeared you to them, your inspired teaching has helped us all to understand better the beauty of Christian charity.

“Your presence among us and your travelling through our parishes, as the vicar of Christ and successor of Peter, will continue to enrich our lives and hopefully make us better Christians and better citizens.”

Dr Abela said he was confident Maltese Catholics would continue to openly and eloquently profess their faith and the Christian values of charity and solidarity and endeavour to share these gifts with others, in Malta and abroad.

The Pope’s visit, the President said, gave the people renewed strengthened to face the future more securely.

President Abela hoped His Holiness would take with him happy memories of his visit to the Island of St Paul and its inhabitants, their faith and hospitality recorded in the Holy Scripture.

“We, therefore, express our profound gratitude to you, ask for your blessing and wish you a safe journey to the Eternal City.

“Berikna u l-vjagg it-tajjeb.”