Rabat, Malta, Apr 3, 2022 / 02:05 am
Pope Francis prayed on Sunday morning at St. Paul’s Grotto in Rabat, where local tradition holds that the Apostle lived and preached during the three months he spent on the island of Malta in 60 A.D.
“Good Father, grant us the grace of a kindly heart that beats with love for our brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis said in a prayer that he read during his live-streamed visit to the grotto on April 3.
Good morning from Malta’s Basilica of St. Paul, where tradition holds that the apostle lived during his three month stay on the island in 60 AD.
— Courtney Mares (@catholicourtney) April 3, 2022
Malta’s rich Catholic tradition is on full display on the streets outside of the basilica this morning. pic.twitter.com/eWOryfq05X
The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 27:27-28:5) records that St. Paul was being taken to Rome to be put on trial when the ship carrying him was caught in a violent storm. The vessel, transporting hundreds of people, was wrecked off the Maltese coast but all aboard swam to land safely. The Apostle stayed on the island for three months.