Malta will welcome Pope Francis for his Apostolic visit to the country this Saturday and Sunday.
Pope Francis will lead several spiritual activities during the two-day visit, whilst giving his blessings and sending messages of courage, hope, and care for all people, especially those who are currently suffering.
It is the fourth time that the head of the Catholic Church will be in Malta; the last visit was by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
Pope Francis will be the third pontiff to visit Malta after St John Paul II (twice, in 1990 and 2011), and Pope Benedict XVI.
The Church of Malta, along with the State, worked alongside the Vatican’s delegations to prepare for the events, as well as launching several initiatives. A Facebook page, ‘Pope Francis In Malta,’ will post details about the visit.
Papafrangisku.mt or popefrancis.mt is the official website launched for the Pope’s visit in Malta, where one can find details of the activities, the official programme, and details on how the public can participate in the activities.
The website also allows access to the missal of liturgical celebrations. The Pope's speeches and homilies of the two days will also be uploaded, as well as videos of the roads which the Pope will pass from.
Papal visits throughout the years:
The first papal visit in Malta was that of John Paul II, which was held between the 25 and 27 May 1990. The historic visit was the Pope’s 48th Apostolic Trip outside Italy in the first 12 years of his Pontificate.
Pope John Paul II visited Malta once again between the 8 and 9 May 2001, as part of his Pauline pilgrimage. During this pilgrimage he also visited Greece and Syria. On the last day of his visit, the Pope beautified Dun Ġorġ Preca, Nazju Falzon and Adeodata Pisani.
The last papal visit in the Maltese Islands was that of Pope Benedict XVI, between the 17 and 18 April 2010. Pope Benedict XVI was invited by the Bishops of Malta and the President of the Republic to visit Malta on the occasion of the 1950th anniversary of St Paul’s shipwreck, which tradition says occurred in 60 A.D.
Pope Francis’ programme of activities
Arriving at 10am at Malta International Airport in Luqa from Rome on Saturday, Pope Francis will head immediately to the Palace in St George’s Square, Valletta, where a ceremony will welcome him. After individual meetings with the President of Malta George Vella and Prime Minister Robert Abela, the Pope will greet the crowd gathered in the square from the balcony.
After Valletta, at around 12:15pm, the Pope will arrive at Rabat at the Apostolic Nunciature where he will stay.
At around 3:30pm the Pope will depart from Rabat towards the Grand Harbour where a prepared grand feast will welcome him. He will then take the catamaran Maria Dolores and head to Gozo. The Church of Malta and the State appealed for the public to gather and welcome him near the port, at the Upper Barracks and in the areas of Senglea and Vittoriosa. 21 shots will be fired from the Lower Barracks as a salute to the Pope.
The catamaran will head from the Grand Harbour to Mgarr Harbour, in Gozo, where he will head to Rabat, Gozo, towards the Ta' Pinu Sanctuary. There, he will deliver a liturgy and welcome prayers. Pope Francis will come back to Malta on the Ta' Pinu ferry.
Once in Cirkewwa, he will pass from Mellieha hill, Xemxija, St Paul's Bay bypass, Burmarrad, Mosta, and then to Rabat again towards the Nunciature.
On Sunday, the Pope has an early morning, as by 8:15am he will leave for St. Paul’s Grotto and meet with several pilgrims. He will also enter St. Paul’s Basilica for prayers.
From there, Pope Francis will arrive at the Floriana Granaries for a mass which will start at around 10am and end at around noon. At least 12,000 people have reserved seats at the Granaries for the mass. Anyone without a ticket might also be allowed into the seated area if there are no-shows. He will go back to the Nunciature at Rabat after. The Pope will give an homily as well as an angelus which will be transmitted throughout the world. He will also meet with provincials of religious organisations.
At around 4:15pm, the Pope will go to the Ħal Far Peace Laboratory to meet with migrants, where he will listen to their testimonies, pray, and give blessings.
His flight back to Italy leaves Malta at 6:15pm, and the Pope’s visit in the country will come to an end.
During his visit the Pope will meet with several Churches in Malta, as well as organisations such as Caritas, Dar tal-Providenza, Fondazzjoni Sebħ, among others. The main activity at the Granaries will see thousands of priests attend. At the Grotto, he will light a special candle in commemoration of St. of his visit, and give a special prayer in honour of St. Paul’s Shipwreck.
Bells will be rung as the Pope travels through roads, to welcome him. The public is encouraged to gather and welcome the Pope with enthusiasm, as well as cooperate due to road closures.
The Church organising committee said that Pope Francis himself chose the activities for his agenda during his visit.