In the Mediterranean, one island stands out for it's religious history. It was evangelized by St. Paul and is now a place of pilgrimage. It is Malta: an island so closely associated with faith that it has more than one church or chapel for every day of the year.
The island was a hidden gem for many until the most-traveled Pope wanted to visit. He went three times.
CARLO MICALLEF
CEO, Malta Tourism Authority
Pope John Paul II put Malta on the map in terms of religious tourism. His visit made us known to the world.
He gave us the opportunity to show to the world the wealth of attractions that we have to offer to visiting tourists.
Malta has a devotion to St. Paul, who spent three months evangelizing there after a shipwreck on his way to Rome.
CARLO MICALLEF
CEO, Malta Tourism Authority
He was in Malta in 60 A.D., just 27 years after Jesus was killed. And he brought Christianity to our islands and he's got a huge following. We're very proud of the fact that St. Paul was in our island and he brought Christianity to our people.
During his visit to Malta, Pope Francis went to the grotto where St. Paul took shelter. He was the third Pope to visit the island.
CARLO MICALLEF
CEO, Malta Tourism Authority
For such a small country like Malta, to have the Popes visiting every time is a huge opportunity and a huge pride.
And after Pope Francis visited, there has been a lot of investment in refurbishing, renovating, improving our product for religious heritage.
Carlo Micallef, the CEO of Malta Tourism Authority, says the island is home to hidden treasures and a generous and faithful people.
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