The Maltese bishops, Paul Cremona, Mario Grech and Charles Scicluna, have sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI, thanking him for his work and explaining how the news of his resignation had caught them by surprise.

They pointed out that the Maltese people love him and is grateful for the gift of his ministry.

Among others, they thanked him for visiting the islands in 2010, for the canonisation of St Gorg Preca and the appointment of Maltese Cardinal Prospero Grech.

They promised to keep him in their prayers.