The pope urged Malta’s Catholics to be ‘tireless witnesses’ of God’s mercy.
Tradition holds that St. Paul stayed at the site for three months in 60 AD.
Pope Francis told Catholics in Malta on Saturday that when they offer charity to the migrants and refugees who arrive on their shores, they are serving Christ himself.
Pope Francis on Saturday said a papal visit to Kyiv is "on the table," raising the possibility of a dramatic escalation of the Holy See's diplomatic and spiritual effort to bring about an end to the fighting that has raged in Ukraine since Russia invaded the country on Feb. 24.
Pope Francis urged authorities in Malta to protect life and appealed to the international community to work for peace in the midst of war, which he said has “swept down powerfully upon the lives of many people and affected us all.”
The group of 15 refugees consisted of mothers and children.
The pope underlined that the Church in particular is called to help those with disabilities to “make their voices heard.”
The pope recalled that in 1924 his grandmother met Barelli, who will be beatified in April.
More than 85% of Malta’s population are baptized Catholics.
Bishop Paul Sanchez had served as an auxiliary since 2012.
The pope chose the 58-year-old priest Msgr. Jean-Marc Micas.
Cardinal Antonios Naguib died in Cairo at the age of 87.
Some Catholics raised concerns about the inclusion of the phrase in Italian and Spanish translations.
The prayer will be recited by Catholics worldwide on March 25.
Cardinal Sandri said ‘families have suffered beyond measure’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cathedral’s first rector was sentenced to death.
‘Thank you for your witness of faith,’ the pope said.
‘I ask you to join in this act by inviting the priests, religious and faithful to assemble in their churches and places of prayer,’ the pope wrote to bishops.
‘May the war stop! May the Lord God bless our land,’ said Major Archbishop Shevchuk.
‘The message of the Holy See, of the Holy Father, is to stop the war,’ the Vatican Secretary of State said.