His Holiness was speaking when he received President Edward Fenech Adami at the Vatican yesterday. It is the first official visit made by the President since he took office in April.
The Pope said that the visit occurs at an important moment in the history of Malta. “As Malta takes its rightful place in the European Union, it has a vital role to play in upholding the profoundly Christian identity of this Continent.”
“Since the time of St Paul, Malta has been renowned for its firm adherence to the faith. I pray that it will persevere in this and I am confident that the Maltese people, well-known for their dedication to the Church and, in particular, their great respect for family life, will draw others to deeper appreciation of the liberating message of the Gospel.”
The audience was followed by a meeting with His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State of Vatican City, the Holy See.
In the afternoon, President Fenech Adami paid an official visit to His Most Eminent Highness, Fra Andrew Bertie, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. The meeting was held at Palazzo Malta in Rome where, during an investiture ceremony, the Grand Master bestowed upon the President the Collar of the Order Pro Merito Melitense.
In his address, Dr Fenech Adami referred to Malta’s accession to the EU, saying that much of Malta’s European sentiment was owed to the Order. “During the Order’s stay in Malta we experienced the best of what Europe had to offer in terms of culture, education, values and architecture. The seeds firmly planted on Maltese soil during those years have firmly taken root and are still very evident today.”
Dr Fenech Adami said that the humanitarian work being carried out by the Order “stands out as a beacon of light” in today’s egocentric world.
“By providing assistance in war-torn regions and in areas hit by natural disasters, the Order is not only healing the wounds of the injured but is healing the wounds of society as a whole.”
The President said that Malta and the Order should seek to assist each other in promoting the values they both shared.
The Grand Master hosted a luncheon in honour of the President and Mrs Fenech Adami.
During his meetings, the President was accompanied by Foreign Affairs and Investment Minister John Dalli, Malta’s Ambassador to Italy Edward Melillo and Malta’s Ambassador to the Holy See Chev. Dr Jimmy Farrugia.
President Fenech Adami will be back in Malta today.