The President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono, has left Malta for an official visit to the Vatican City State, the Department of Information said Saturday.

During this visit, President Spiteri Debono will have a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, followed by another meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The official meetings are scheduled for Monday, 2 March, and during which the President will lead a delegation that includes the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Dr Ian Borg, and the Ambassador of Malta to the Holy See, Frank Zammit.

Visits will also be made to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis is buried, as well as to the Ambulatorio Madre di Misericordia of the Vatican, which offers training opportunities for Maltese medical students.

President Spiteri Debono is expected to return to Malta on 3 March. During this period, Dr Helena Dalli will serve as Acting President.