Holy Father, you will not be aware of it if you have not been told, but you should know that your visit among us has generated considerable resentment. Not towards you, you are very welcome to be among us and we are very happy to have you here.

The ill will we feel is directed towards our government. We resent being neglected and treated so shabbily, though we are the source, through taxation, of the government’s finances. And your visit has shown us how ungenerously we are looked on by those who rule us.

You see, our government, to leave a positive impression with you, has been doing up the roads which have been damaging our cars, which we care for dearly. Though the government turns to us to raise the revenue it has to have, it does not even try to meet our needs.

We have been complaining so long about the roads, they are in such a state. But the government never listens to our complaints and we have to keep ‘patching up’ our cars, which are so badly damaged by the state of the roads. But because you were coming – and you are not a taxpayer here – the government has been repairing the roads, and painting the pavement edges white, where you are to be driven by, to impress you. Thank you for that, you had a good influence. But at the same time the preparations for your visit showed us starkly how poorly the government treats us, its revenue providers. It is not a nice feeling, I assure you. It hurts.

Perhaps, when our Prime Minister comes out to the airport to greet you, with his wide, insincere smile, you can tell him to be less dishonest with us, and ultimately, with you too. Perhaps you can tell him you would like to be driven down Vjal il-Haddiem (Labour Avenue) in Rabat after your visit there today – that will give you an idea of what goes for roads in this ‘modern’ EU country. The road is named after the workers, perhaps its state shows the extent of the government’s esteem for the workers. But please do not have any food before the ride down Vjal il-Haddiem, you would probably throw up from the experience.

J. Muscat

Rabat