“Last Wednesday, His Holiness the Pope not surprisingly dedicated his speech during his weekly public audience in St Peter’s Square to the Malta visit. He referred to the warm welcome extended to him by the Maltese people and described that welcome as really

extraordinary”

All the odds were set against success. Many elements were keener to bring out stories that emphasised the negative rather than the positive. Stories about His Holiness the Pope not having the charismatic appeal enjoyed by his predecessor, about paedophilia, about a crisis of values reaching our shores, about how invitations were issued by the Church for events linked to the Pope’s visit… even about whether a monument in Luqa would or not be considered offensive by His Holiness!

Malta was not immune to features that were appearing in different sections of the international media that were deliberately making claims against His Holiness to cause damage to the Church. It was nearly as though different elements were consciously or otherwise stirring the pot to ensure a recipe for disaster.

As the visit drew closer, there was even some speculation that it might have to be put off because of the volcanic ash that erupted in Iceland and began moving southwards. Until His Holiness the Pope landed in Malta speculation shifted to the plane having to choose a lower than normal path to play it safer, supposedly leaving most of the entourage grounded.

And yet when all this is seen within the context of how the visit by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI actually evolved in Malta, we can only conclude that not only was the visit a resounding success but also that it did His Holiness and the Church in general a world of good. The visit became a healing experience in that it offered the truth to confront fabrications, offered openness to overcome prejudice, and above all enshrined the warmth and hospitality of our people to offer the Pope peace and comfort that was in turn projected to a global audience that avidly followed what was happening in our country.

When His Holiness briefly met Members of Parliament at the Palace, soon after his arrival, it was evident that we had in front of us a learned, but equally humble and meek Vicar of Christ who was genuinely touched by how the Maltese people welcomed him. He could not have hoped for a better birthday or Pontificate anniversary celebration.

The people lined up the route from which he had to go through to reach St Paul’s Grotto in Rabat and on Sunday gathered at Il-Fosos to attend Mass concelebrated by him. Later the Pope took the bold and correct decision to meet the victims who suffered abuse by members of the clergy who do no honour to the Institution which they represent.

To my mind one of the most touching moments that I will always cherish in my own memory is the meeting that His Holiness the Pope had with young people at the Valletta Waterfront. Arriving at the Waterfront aboard a catamaran from Kalkara, already accompanied by young people, was already a wonderful experience enhanced by the sheer magic of our Grand Harbour. To be then welcomed by thousands of young men and women was a moving and unique happening that must have offered His Holiness strength, courage, and joy. It was a listening as much as it was a preaching experience. A number of young people spoke about various real issues that are afflicting them and society in general. They spoke in a candid, even if elegant manner. Christian dialogue can only be based on sincerity, is carried out lovingly and searches for the truth.

Last Wednesday, His Holiness the Pope not surprisingly dedicated his speech during his weekly public audience in St Peter’s Square to the Malta visit. He referred to the warm welcome extended to him by the Maltese people and described that welcome as really extraordinary. He added his gratitude to Malta’s authorities and the people in general.

It is now befitting of all of us to extend that extraordinary welcome by keeping alive not only the memory of this wonderful and successful visit but even more so by appreciating in depth its full significance in order to live and give witness to that significance.

Francis Zammit Dimech is

a Nationalist MP