Malta’s Archbishop Charles Scicluna this morning was invested with the pallium by the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Mario Roberto Cassari, during a pontifical mass that was held at St John’s Co-Cathedral.

This was the first that an archbishop was invested with the pallium in a ceremony held in Malta. Changes to the procedures were implemented by Pope Francis with the intention of generating more public participation in the life of the Church.

The pallium is invested as a sign of the archbishop’s communion with the pontiff.

It is made up of sheep’s wool, a symbol of Jesus Christ, and is a reminder to archbishops that they are Christ’s shepherds.