Fr Claude Portelli, parish priest of St Julian’s, wanted to be a diplomat when he was young.
He enjoys all that is Italian, be it food or music, and he would want to live in the nearby peninsula if given the chance.
But which was the subject that he disliked the most in class?
What was the last book you read?
I haven’t read a proper book lately, more short articles
Who is your favourite author?
No one in particular, although I like autobiographies
What was the last film you watched?
Lupin
Which film have you seen multiple times and enjoyed every time you saw it?
Sound of Music
Who is your favourite actor/actress?
Don’t have any in particular
What is your favourite TV series?
The Crown
What is your favourite game or sport to watch and play?
I enjoy watching international football leagues or a game of tennis
Which team do you support?
I support mainly the Italian national team but no particular club
Which song would you sing at a karaoke night?
Xemx
Who is your favourite singer/band?
I mainly love Italian music, Claudio Baglioni, Antonello Venditti, Ultimo, Diodato, Laura Pausini, Elisa, Francesco Renga and I can go on and on.
Which show/event would you like to attend/have attended?
Last show I attended which fascinated me was Cirque de Soleil
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
My pillow, a good book/bible, and a family photo
Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
The sixth!
What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
Raw mince meat
What is that one thing you could not go a day without?
Water
Which fictional character do you relate to most?
None
Do you check your horoscope?
Never
What age would you choose if you could be one age forever?
I’m at ease with my age
What invention would you erase from history?
Heavy fuel machinery/vehicles
Would you like to know the day when you will die?
Yes I would like to, it would give me time to say my proper goodbyes and thank you to many people.
What's your favourite animal?
Cats
What's your favourite type of foreign food?
Anything Italian
What is your favourite hobby?
Home design
What's your favourite season?
Spring
What's your favourite ice cream topping?
Fresh cream and nuts
What's your favourite board game?
Monopoly
What is your favourite pizza?
Pistacchiosa
What is your favourite colour?
Blue
What is your favourite pasta dish?
Frutti di mare
What is your favourite cartoon show?
Tom & Jerry
What did you like to do most during the summer holidays?
Swim
What career did you see yourself in when you were young?
Diplomat
What is your best childhood memory?
Spending time at my maternal grandmother
Did you learn how to ride a bike?
Not really
Who was your super hero?
Superman
Which toy do you wish to have kept?
None really
What subject did you excel in at school?
Maltese
What subject did you dislike the most in school?
Physics
Was there some family tradition that was never missed?
Christmas lunch
What are the best values you owe to your parents?
Respect, discipline, appreciating the simple things in life, family unity, care for others, generosity
What would you change about yourself if you could?
I’m ok but possibly my weight
What really makes you angry?
Indifference, envy, lack of respect, foul language, lies
Is your glass half full or half empty?
I try and see it half full most times
Are you a sore loser?
Not really
What is your biggest regret?
Not having had the possibility to travel much and have my own home
What’s the first thing you look for in a friend?
Honesty and fun
What is your greatest fear?
Loneliness
What is your life motto?
Dream big
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Fragile
What's one thing that can instantly make your day better?
Encouragement and being around positive people
If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you do or buy?
I would donate to needy people and buy myself a home
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Piero Angela and Angela Merkel
If you could bring one person back from the dead who’d it be?
Too many to choose one but maybe my maternal grandmother
If you could time travel, when and where would you go?
Renaissance
If you could relive one moment in your life, which would it be?
The day I was ordained priest
If you could live anywhere outside Malta, where would it be?
Italy
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A variety of fish
If you could know the truth behind a secret or mystery, which would it be?
The mystery of life after death
If you could eliminate one of the seven deadly sins, which one would it be (pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath or sloth)?
Envy
If you had to be given a superpower, what would you choose?
I doubt it’s possible
Either or
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Walk or swim?
Swim
Summer or winter?
Summer
Italy or England?
Italy
Restaurant or delivery?
Restaurant
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl
Fish or meat?
Fish
Mobile phone or TV?
Mobile phone
Black or white?
Same
Film or TV series?
Film