US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro found inspiration yesterday in Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona’s optimism, energy and his real touch with people, particularly his outreach to the younger generations.

Mrs Bordonaro made her feelings known when speaking during a visit by the Archbishop to the US Embassy in Floriana yesterday morning, when Mgr Cremona also met members of the Maltese-American Association.

“I met Mgr Cremona at a football match recently and my six-year-old daughter, Brook, was so enthusiastic to meet him. She even wanted a photo cutting from the newspaper for her scrap-book.

“Mgr Cremona is undoubtedly establishing a real, personal touch with young people; he is striking a chord with them,” said Mrs Bordonaro.

She referred to the collaboration between Malta and the US with regard to irregular immigration, and particularly the recent departure of 30 refugees from Malta to be reunited with family members in the US.

“We look forward to continue working to help as many people as possible achieve a sense of freedom and a better life,” she said, before wishing Mgr Cremona the best of luck in his new mission.

Archbishop Cremona, on his part, thanked Mrs Bordonaro and expressed the hope that their countries would strengthen their close collaboration.

He went on to address the Maltese emigrants, thanking the US for having received the thousands of Maltese who started a new life in America.

Mgr Cremona also thanked the US for having accepted to receive refugees from Malta. This gesture, he said, indicated a sense of burden-sharing as well as a strong will to reunite families.

He greeted the Maltese living in the US and paid tribute to them and their ancestors for their sense of faith and patriotism, saying the history of the Maltese in North America bore witness to a beautiful Maltese spirit.