To begin the second day of his trip to Malta, Pope Francis traveled to the town of Rabat to visit St. Paul's Grotto, where the apostle is said to have lived and preached for three months after being shipwrecked on his way to Rome.
The Pope entered the basilica that sits atop the grotto, before descending to the same site also visited by Pope emeritus Benedict XIV and St. John Paul II.
Pope Francis lit a candle before the statue of St. Paul, and prayed that Malta's spirit of welcome that was extended to the saint continue to the migrants that reach the island's shores.
POPE FRANCIS
There was no time for discussions, for judgments, for analyses and calculations. It was the moment to lend a helping hand. They left their jobs and did exactly that.
He then prayed silently in the grotto for several moments, before stopping to leave a message in the visitor's log.
The Pope proceeded to the basilica, where he offered a blessing to those gathered there, and greeted several disabled and elderly persons.
He then returned to square in front of the Basilica to travel to the city of Floriana to celebrate Mass.
JM
