After the Pontifical ceremony, Prince William was accompanied by Cynthia Degiorgio, the co-Catherdal curator. He was shown the two Caravaggio paintings, that of the beheading of St John the Baptist and St Jerome.

Archbishop Cremona today called on the EU and Malta to do more to help migrants fleeing war and poverty in search of a better life.

Addressing a Pontifical Mass, Archbishop Cremona said that people should not be left to drown, and should be treated humanely when they reach Malta’s shores.

“Thousands of people migrate from their country in search of a better life. They cross the desert and seas in the hope of building a better future,” he said.

He thanked those who rescue migrants and those involved in their care.

“Like us who have been born in this free land, they too are God’s children. Let us not resort to any form of discrimination based upon colour of skin, originating country, or religion," he said. 

Archbishop Cremona said that a number of people are not keeping up with the pace of social developments in Malta.

He pointed out that alcohol and drug use among youths is on the rise, as are the incidence of pregnancies.

"They see this as a sign of exercising their freedom, but little do they realize that they are enslaving themselves in the process."

"Humans are free and independent because he is endowed with enough wisdom to choose between those values which are beneficial to him and to the society in which he lives.

He said that he hear of one Maltese girl who resorts to self-harm because physical pain is nowhere near as bad as the emotional pain she suffers. 

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge kicked off the second day of his two day visit to Malta overseeing a national salute by an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) guard of honour in Valletta.

He then proceeded to St John's Co-Cathedral to hear a Pontifical Mass.

A number of people gathered outside of the Cathedral in order to catch a glimpse of the Prince, and applauded on his arrival. 

Prior to the Mass, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and President Marie Louise Colerio Preca inspected the guard of honour.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil is also attending the Pontifical Mass, along with a number of MPs from both sides of the House. 

In the afternoon, the Prince will be taken on a boat tour, following a visit to St Lawrence Church.

The final event on the Prince’s schedule is a garden party at the High Commissioner’s residence.