Photo: DOI Jeremy Wonnacott

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has invited Pope Francis to visit Malta.

That would serve as an opportunity for the Pontiff to encourage Maltese children and youths to strengthen the values of friendship, tolerance, love and respect towards other nations, Ms Coleiro Preca said during a meeting at the Vatican yesterday.

She stressed that a pontifical visit to the islands would make “a huge difference” given the country’s geographical location, so close to conflict zones.

The President highlighted the plight of the people risking their lives in the Mediterranean while fleeing persecution.

“The Church, even from Malta, would be able to send out messages of peace and love and push away the hatred between cultures and religions caused by conflict in countries like Iraq and Syria,” she said.

After the meeting with the Pope, Ms Coleiro Preca said that it was “spiritually and humanely profound”.