Pope Francis rode into the city of Valletta on the popemobile after arriving in Malta. Unlike during other papal trips, he remained seated due to knee problems he has been experiencing in recent days.
He arrived at the Grandmaster's Palace where he was received by the President of Malta, George Vella, and his family, before exchanging gifts.
He also met briefly with Malta's Prime Minister, Robert Abela.
In a meeting with the country's civil leaders and diplomatic corps, President Vella identified areas of collaboration between Malta and the Holy See, such as advocating for a reduction of arms manufacturing worldwide.
He explained how easy access to weapons create conflicts that lead to a high number of refugees coming to Malta's shores, due to the island's location in the heart of the Mediterranean.
GEORGE VELLA
President of Malta
We see this taking place, in our immediate neighborhood, the Mediterranean, but even further afield in the long-drawn crises of Syria and Yemen.
Pope Francis recalled how during his trip to Rome, St. Paul was shipwrecked on Malta's shores where he was welcomed by locals, and urged the Maltese government to extend the same hospitality to migrants who come to the island from northern Africa.
POPE FRANCIS
Today, when those who cross the Mediterranean in search of salvation are met with fear and the narrative of “invasion,” and safeguarding one’s own security at any price seems to be the primary goal, let us help one another not to view the migrant as a threat, and not to yield to the temptation of raising drawbridges and erecting walls.
The Pope also expressed his concern over the effects of the ongoing war in Europe. Although he did not call out Russian President Vladimir Putin by name, he referred to the war as the result of a single ruler.
POPE FRANCIS
Once again, some powerful ruler, sadly caught up in anachronistic claims of nationalist interests, is provoking and fomenting conflicts, whereas ordinary people feel the need to build a future that will either be shared, or not be at all. Now in the night of war that has fallen upon humanity, let us not allow the dream of peace to fade.
After their meeting, the Pope came out to the palace's balcony to greet those gathered to see him in the square, where he was meet with cheers.
He then returned to popemobile to leave Valletta before heading to the island of Gozo later in the day.
JM
