Fr Pierre Grech Marguerat, a former director of the Jesuit Refugee Services, died in Pisa on Friday after a long illness. He was 62 years old.

He had just returned to the Jesuit community house after a long hospital stay, the Jesuits community wrote on Facebook. 

From 1996 to 2007, he served as the director of the Jesuit Refugee Services office in Malta.

Tributes poured in as news of his death spread on Friday. 

“We will always remember Fr Pierre as a wonderful man with so many gifts,” JRS Malta said in a Facebook post.

“A natural communicator, Fr Pierre shared with others his gifts of a deep faith, a heart for others, a life-giving spirit, and a passion for justice. All this with his great sense of humour... Fr Pierre was truly one of a kind in so many ways. We will never forget him, and we will be forever grateful for his friendship and unwavering support.”

The Maltese Diabetes Association described him as a "good friend" and supporter. 

"May he rest in peace," they said.