Msgr Paul Cardona and Msgr Joseph Attard, archpriests-elect of St George’s Basilica and of the Cathedral church, met Pope Benedict XVI at the end of his weekly Wednesday audience in St Peter’s Square, the St George Basilica electronic newsletter reported.

The two archpriests expressed their joy at the blessing they received from the Pope exactly one month to the day they had been nominated to the two town parishes of the diocese of Gozo.

Speaking about his experience in Rome, Msgr Cardona said Pope Benedict XVI grasped their hands and did not let them go as the two priests introduced themselves. He listened carefully to them, heard about their pastoral ministry in Rome and blessed them as they started their new ministry in the diocese of Gozo, in collaboration with Bishop Mario Grech.

For Msgr Attard the day also happened to have special significance because it marked the liturgical commemoration of St Ignatius of Antioch, the patron of his Roman parish.

Msgr Cardona told Pope Benedict that he was Dun Alfred’s parish priest, referring to Msgr Alfred Xuereb, the priest from the St George parish who was recently chosen by the Pope to be one of his personal assistants. Msgr Cardona asked the Pope to bless his new parish in Gozo, which the Pope graciously did, blessing both Gozitan priests and their pastoral ministry.

Msgr Cardona flew to Rome on Tuesday specifically for the Wednesday audience with Pope Benedict. He returns to Gozo late today. Msgr Attard happened to be in Rome to hand over his former parish to its new pastor.