The government confirmed that it has spent €31,980 on 3,100 sets of rosary beads which were blessed by the Pope.

In reply to a parliamentary question, Minister for Family Affairs Michael Falzon told PN MP Karol Aquilina that these beads were given to elderly people.

Falzon said that the Secretariat for the Elderly and the Welfare Committee has already given out 2,067 rosaries in nine homes for the elderly and an additional 1,033 are being held in storage.