Today Malta pays its last respects to Archbishop Emeritus, Paul Cremona, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79 years old.

He was Malta's Archbishop between the years 2007 and 2014, a period during which major changes in Maltese society were taking place. Chief among them was the introduction of divorce in civil law. Cremona himself had said that the referendum had been a most trying period for the Church.

During his time as Archbishop, he had also welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to our shores.

He was a holy man, and wanted to bring the Church closer to the people. In fact, during his time as head of the Church in Malta, Cremona had made it a point to visit as many parishes as possible with that very aim. He was also an author, who wrote a number of books dealing with theology and spirituality.

Cremona was loved, especially by those in the Dominican family. The funeral cortege last Thursday made a stop in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Safe Haven and St Dominic, where the Dominican Family paid tribute to Mgr Cremona. The Maltese Dominican Province described Cremona as "a worthy son of St Dominic, a friend to all, a faithful and good servant of the Church." It described him as a "shepherd, friend, and a spiritual father of many."

The Valletta Dominican Order also paid tribute to the "much loved" Mgr Cremona. It said that Cremona had in him all that St Dominic wanted his children to embrace - joy and the Dominican charisma, with which he touched the hearts of many Maltese families.

He will be remembered for his humility and work within the community.

Cremona had stepped down from his role as Archbishop in 2014, when he had retired at the age of 68 years old. In his message to Cremona, Pope Francis had thanked him for his work, pointing out Cremona's "spiritual closeness to the people" and expressed appreciation for his "humanity".

Archbishop Emeritus Cremona had said that he had resigned for health reasons, although some have said that there was pressure for him to step down.

"I am at peace with God for taking the right decision. It was an honour to lead the Church for almost eight years. I thank God for the good I may have done, I thank him for sending people to help me. I have no rancour for anyone in my heart. I am at the service of my successor", Cremona had said when he resigned.

Countless tributes to the former Archbishop were made on social media. Archbishop Charles Scicluna, on behalf of the Church in Malta, expressed deep sorrow over his passing, and said that the Church entrusts "such a faithful and loving pastor to the mercy of the Good Shepherd." He also referred to Cremona as "a humble and wise man who gave his life for our people, as the Archbishop of Malta."

"He was a man close to our people. In him, our people saw a friendly face, a shepherd who gave his life to the flock. May he rest in peace."

President Myriam Spiteri Debono said that Mgr Cremona "led the Maltese Catholic Church as Archbishop with love and humility, and will remain remembered for the good that he did in silence across over 50 years of service within the Church."

Today the country will pay its last respects to him.

The day has been declared a day of mourning.