This Blog is pleased to announce that some details of Pope Francis' visit to Malta next year are being made available below to our readers. It is however important to stress that although a draft programme has been made available to us, it is our belief that such details are best left to the Church and Government to publish when they deem appropriate.
Our source in the Vatican confirmed that the dates - although preferable to the Holy See to coincide with the feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck in Malta - depend to a large extent on the general elections due to be held in Malta in 2022.
It is the wish of the current Pontiff to visit churches that were not visited in past Papal visits to Malta by John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
However, the choices being currently considered, namely those of the churches of Fgura (Madonna tal-Karmnu) and Naxxar (Santwarju Ġesù Ħniena Divina - San Pawl tat-Tarġa) seem to be problematic from a logistics point of view. Still, according to our source, the Pope wants to visit churches that architecturally reflect Vatican Council II and Mercy.
Also, the current pandemic seems to preclude large mass gatherings. Therefore, Open Mass in Floriana is currently being excluded. However, consideration is being given to Ta' Qali National Stadium, due to seating possibilities.
For the rest, the visit to Gozo is still to be confirmed although Cardinal Mario Grech is pushing hard for it to be included. A migrants centre is also included in the visit.
