Apostolic Visit to Malta, 17-18 April 2010
Apostolic Visit to Malta, 17-18 April 2010
Pope Benedict XVI
1. Welcoming Ceremony
Saturday evening, 17 April 2010, at the Malta International Airport in Luqa, the Holy Father spoke of himself as a pilgrim, coming to celebrate the 1,950th anniversary of St. Paul's shipwreck off the island of Malta.
2. Visit to the Cave of St Paul
On Saturday evening, 17 April 2010, the Holy Father prayed silently at the Grotto of Saint Paul, where the Apostle is believed to have lived for three months after shipwreck. The Pope then addressed Archbishop Cremona and the faithful assembled in the piazza.
3. Mass at the Floriana Granaries
On Sunday morning, 18 April 2010, the Third Sunday of Easter, the Holy Father celebrated Mass at the Floriana Granaries. In his homily, the Pope warned against those who say we have no need of God or the Church, that we can choose our own beliefs and values. The Pope recalled from the Gospel reading how the disciples caught no fish until they cast their nets as directed by Christ.
4. Regina Caeli
After Mass on Sunday, 18 April 2010, in the Piazza of the Granary at Floriana, the Holy Father introduced the recitation of the Regina Caeli by offering a golden rose to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, revered by the Maltese people.
5. Press Release: Meeting of Pope with Victims of Sexual Abuse
On Sunday 18 April 2010, in the Apostolic Nunciature in Malta, the Holy Father met a small group of persons who were sexually abused by members of the clergy.
6. Meeting with Young People
Sunday afternoon, 18 April 2010, the Holy Father met with young people at the Great Port of Valletta, where he spoke of the encounter with Christ that St Paul had as a young man. The Pope encouraged young people not to be afraid of intimate friendship with Christ.
7. Farewell Ceremony
On Sunday evening, 18 April 2010, after his meeting with the young people, the Holy Father was taken to the International Airport of Malta, at Luqa, where he big farewell to Malta, encouraging the people to cherish their religious and cultural heritage.
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