Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna said that as much as he was pleased to have seen the Maltese delegation attend the canonisation of Pope John XXIII and John Paul II it would have been such a fitting tribute to two Popes, which are part of Maltese history, had President of the Republic, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca attended as well.
Mgr Scicluna was replying to questions made by this newspaper, including whether it bothered him not to have seen the Prime Minister or President form part of the Maltese delegation in Rome.
The Maltese delegation lacked a government representative during Sunday’s event since it is the Speaker of the House, Anglu Farrugia who attended, along with the prime minister’s wife, Mrs Michelle Muscat.
However, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, in comments to the media yesterday, said the fact that his wife was present meant that the government did have a representative attend.
“She attended in her role as the prime minister’s wife, as happens in other countries,” he was quoted as saying.
Mgr Scicluna said: “I was pleased to see the Maltese delegation greet the Holy Father; it was a pity the President could not make it since I am sure that many Maltese Catholics would have loved to see the President represent them during Sunday’s historic occasion.
“It would have been such a fitting tribute to two popes who are part of our history,” he said.
He explained that Saint John XXIII was the first pope to broadcast a radio message to the Maltese in 1960, including the first ever papal blessing in Maltese, while Saint John Paul II was the first pope to visit us in 1990 while in 2001 he visited us again to beatify three Maltese: George Preca, Nazju Falzon and Maria Adeodata Pisani.
Asked to describe the atmosphere in St Peter’s Square that day, he said it was a mixture of sobre solemnity and cordial enthusiasm.
“The grey clouds did not dampen the spirits of the hundreds of thousands of faithful who attended the Papal Mass,” Mgr Scicluna highlighted.
Mgr Scicluna further stated that he was deeply moved by the unassuming and prayerful presence of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Never before has a reigning and retired pope celebrated Mass together in public, much less at an event honoring two of their most famous predecessors. Asked if this move reflected Pope Francis’ character, he replied in the affirmative.
“Yes, this is typically in line with his character; he is on record saying that we as a Catholic community are called to cherish and revere the wisdom of the senior citizens among us.
“It is of great witness to charity to see the Pope showing respect to his predecessor the Pope Emeritus,” Mgr Scicluna said.
Mgr Scicluna pointed out that he thought the extraordinary scene of the crowd in St Peter’s Square, in Via della Conciliazione and in the neighbouring streets, was a poignant and eloquent witness to the gratitude and veneration the Christian faithful nurture for the shepherds of the flock who imitate Jesus and give their lives for their people.