Archbishop of Malta Charles Scicluna said that St. Paul's visit to Malta was a testament to our country's welcoming nature, during a mass held in celebration of St. Paul's Shipwreck at the Church of St. Paul in Valletta.

Today, people across Malta and Gozo celebrate one of the pinnicale moments in our history, the day that St. Paul was shipwrecked on our islands.

The pontifical mass was part of a programme of events that took place.

The Archbishop explained how Malta had a Punic culture at the time of his arrival and said that there was need for St Paul to visit the island.

"St Paul found a people that knew what philanthropy meant - to look at a person and treat them as a human being. This sentiment was shared among the Maltese people before his arrival, it was a natural characteristic which they showed to over two hundred people who were shipwrecked."

"St Paul was sent by Jesus to a pagan people, to open their eyes so that they can turn to the light and move toward God."

He concluded by referring to a poem written by Dun Karm Psaila in 1920 as its final verse is a reminder that God has invited us to meet the light and that is why he sent St. Paul.

"Dun Karm understood that St Paul had a huge resonance with light, so, it is no surprise that when he got to writing the national anthem, he thanked God and prayed to him to remember that he blessed us with the brightest of light. This is why we are St Paul's children," he said.

Soon after, at noon, 'Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna' carried out a long-held tradition of firing cannons at noon at the Saluting Battery in Valletta. In the afternoon, a march by the La Valette band club took place.

In the evening, a procession with the statue of St Paul led by Dun Peter Ellul, accompanied by the 'Soċjetà San Pawl Banda Konti Ruġġieru' form Rabat, will be held.

Photos by Mike Camilleri