Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, will be visiting Malta at the end of this week at the invitation of the Apostolic Nunciature in Malta, the Archbishop's office said Thursday.

His visit will bring to a close the celebrations held over the past year marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malta and the Holy See.

During the visit, Cardinal Parolin will meet Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, as well as the Maltese Episcopal Conference.

The Cardinal will be the keynote speaker at a commemorative celebration at the Archbishop's Curia in Floriana, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malta and the Holy See. On the same day, two books related to the history of diplomatic relations between the two states will be launched.

On Sunday 1 February, Cardinal Parolin will celebrate Mass in English at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta at 9:30am. Concelebrating with him will be the Bishops of Malta and Gozo, the Apostolic Nuncio Savio Hon Tai-Fai, and the emeritus bishops. The public is encouraged to attend this Mass.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, aged 71, has served as Secretary of State of the Holy See since 2013, when he was appointed by Pope Francis, and he was created cardinal the following year. He is a member of the Council of Cardinals and of the following Dicasteries: for the Doctrine of the Faith; for the Eastern Churches; for Evangelization; for Bishops; and for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.