During an official visit to the Vatican on 2 March, the President of the Republic of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono, presented Pope Leo XIV with a newly commissioned bronze high relief of St Paul's Shipwreck on Malta, created by highly acclaimed Maltese sculptor Chris Ebejer. The meeting took place at the Apostolic Palace, where the work was offered as an official state gift symbolising Malta's deep historical and spiritual ties to the Apostle.
The bronze relief captures the dramatic moment described in the Acts of the Apostles (27:39-44; 28:1-10), when St Paul and his companions were shipwrecked on the island of Melite. As recounted in Scripture, "Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness."
At the centre of the composition, St Paul stands with a commanding yet compassionate presence, his raised hand offering both blessing and reassurance. The swirling forms behind him evoke the violence of the storm and the chaos of the sea, while his calm posture reflects unwavering trust in divine providence. Beneath his feet, the inscription MALTA MMXXVI anchors the ancient narrative in the present day, affirming the island's enduring connection to the Apostle.
Modelled in clay and cast in bronze, the relief bears the tactile immediacy of the artist's hand - the textures of robe, beard, and wave-like forms preserving the marks of a Maltese sculptor interpreting a foundational moment in the nation's Christian heritage. The work is embraced by a finely crafted frame and stand in American walnut and Venge, created by Maltese master craftsmen under Ebejer's artistic direction. Together, the relief and its setting form a unified sculptural statement honouring Malta's identity and its centuries‑old devotion to St Paul.
A gift of national significance
This commission marks Chris Ebejer's second papal presentation, following his 2010 silver statue created for Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Malta. Expressing gratitude for the collaboration that brought the work to life, Ebejer stated: "My sincere appreciation goes to Her Excellency President Myriam Spiteri Debono, as well as to the master craftsmen John Falzon and Lawrence Caruana, whose exceptional skill and dedication were instrumental in bringing this fine gift to fruition."
The presentation of this artwork stands as both a tribute to Malta's national identity and a contemporary interpretation of a defining episode that shaped the island's Christian spiritual heritage. Through this state gift, Malta reaffirms its historical role as the welcoming shore where faith, providence, and humanity converged - a legacy that continues to resonate today.