Archbishop Charles Scicluna celebrated his 60th birthday on Wednesday, with a sizeable crowd gathering to wish him many happy returns. 

The Archbishop was joined by family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers in the courtyard of the Curia in Floriana, where he cut a birthday cake, gave a brief address and celebrated the day. 

As well as leading Malta's archdiocese, Archbishop Scicluna is a trusted confidante of Pope Francis and one of the Vatican's leading figures in the fight against abuse in the church and protection of minors. 

He is understood to have played a key role in drafting revised guidelines, unveiled last week, making it obligatory for priests to report suspicions of sex abuse. 

Earlier in the week, in an interview with the Washington Post he confided about the emotional toll that meeting with victims of abuse took on him. 

 

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