Pope Francis will be coming to our islands on Sunday 31 May 2020 President of Malta George Vella revealed during a mass held at St. Paul's Church in Valletta.

Archbishop of Malta Charles Scicluna led a pontifical mass in celebration of the feast St. Paul’s Shipwreck.

At the end of the mass, Vella announced the date of Pope Francis's arrival.

"Welcoming the invitation of the President of the Republic of Malta, the authorities and the Catholic church of the country, his Holiness Pope Francis will make an apostolic journey to Malta and Gozo on 31st May 2020."

Vella added that details on the programme of the journey will be published at a later stage and wished that the visit will bring God's blessing and peace.

Prime Minister Robert Abela expressed that every time a Pope visits our islands, the experience is one that brings the country together, regardless of our differences, and helped the country to move forward rather than look at the past.

"This occasion is a reminder that despite our small size, we are a country that respects worldly leadership. Every Maltese and Gozitan should be present at the activities that will be taking place during the visit so that we can come closer to each other and create a sense of national togetherness."

"Helping others, tolerance and civil rights are all values that Pope Francis holds to heart and speaks passionately about. These are values that this government also believes in. Let's use this occasion reflect these values which our people encompass and deliver a strong message of how proud we are of our nation."

"The Pope was invited to visit Malta during a visit to Rome by our President, while the Archbishop also invited the pontiff."

This will be the fourth visit of a pope to Malta in the last 30 years. Pope John Paul II had visited Malta in 1990 and 2001, while Pope Benedict XVI came to Malta in 2010.