Pope Francis to visit Malta in the first week of April

Malta: Pope Francis will travel to Malta for two days in the month of April, as per the announcement by Apostolic Nuncio Alessandro D’Errico on Thursday morning.

The announcement was officially made towards the end of the Pontifical Mass celebrating St Paul’s Shipwreck, the Nunico. Apostolic Nuncio Alessandro D’Errico further said that during the visit, Pope will go to Valletta, Rabat, Floriana and Ħal Far, and Gozo.

The further details of the programme will be announced later. However, the Archbishop’s Curia has published a logo, which would be used during the visit. As per a few reports, a delegation from Vatican will reach Malta in the upcoming weeks to assist the preparations for the visit.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has also confirmed the visit of Pope Francis on social media. He wrote, “Aħbar sabiħa ħafna l-konferma uffiċjali li l-Papa Franġisku se jżur pajjiżna fit-2 u 3 ta’ April. Se tkun okkażjoni sabiħa għall-poplu Malti u Għawdxi kollu.
Il-festa t-tajba.”

The original visit of Pope Francis’ first apostolic journey to Malta was scheduled for 31 May 2020, as per the schedule announced two year ago. However, it was disrupted because of the global pandemic and travel restrictions due to the same.

While mentioning about the visit, Archbishop Scicluna said that Pope’s tour would heal wounds that have wounded our social fabric.

As per the sources, the visit would be held on April 2 and 3, 2022, this provides a hint that the general elections will be conducted in the month of Month. This expectation might be made as Holy See will not make a visit amid the electoral campaign.

It is worth likely that Prime Minister Robert Abela will conclude the Parliament within a few weeks, so that elections can be held in the mid-March.