LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta was among 170 countries represented at the state funeral of Pope Francis, held at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Saturday.
A sizeable Maltese delegation — including President Myriam Spiteri Debono, Prime Minister Robert Abela, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola — joined an estimated 400,000 mourners and world leaders to honour the late pontiff.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after leading the Catholic Church for 12 transformative years. Known as “the People’s Pope,” he was celebrated for his efforts to make the Church more compassionate, inclusive, and globally engaged.
Reflecting on the solemn occasion, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola described Pope Francis as “more than a spiritual shepherd” and “a global voice for compassion, for humanity, for peace, and for those too often forgotten.”
In an interview with Times of Malta, Metsola recounted her last private audience with the pontiff, where they discussed global peace, the role of women in politics, and his fond memories of visiting Malta — especially his crossing to Gozo.
“He used to look at young people and tell them to trust, and be tolerant to one another,” she said. “Even if it is difficult, even if it is sometimes unpopular, I would rather stand for that than for populist quick wins.”
Prime Minister Robert Abela spoke of the powerful emotion that filled St Peter’s Square, describing the homily as especially moving. The message that “we need to build bridges, not walls” drew spontaneous applause from the crowd.
“We need to strengthen peace because war destroys our humanity,” Abela said, adding that the late Pope’s message is especially relevant in today’s sensitive global climate. “His legacy will live on, particularly for those in positions like mine who are entrusted with running a country”.
Opposition Leader Bernard Grech echoed this sentiment, calling the funeral a historic and emotional moment. “It created an opportunity for world leaders to come together,” he said. Grech praised Pope Francis’s courage in addressing political issues and his commitment to the marginalised.
“He was a Catholic pope, but he was also an international figure who influenced politics around the globe,” he said. Malta’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Frank Zammit, also described the funeral as a moment of profound global unity.
“The world met in St Peter’s and thanked the Pope who did so much for the most vulnerable in society,” he said. Zammit highlighted Pope Francis’s humanitarian efforts, including the establishment of a soup kitchen and a clinic for undocumented individuals. He noted Malta’s direct contributions to these efforts, from donating medical equipment to sending Maltese medical students to volunteer at the clinic this summer. “By doing this they will begin to sow the seed of mercy within them,” Zammit said. As the world bid farewell to Pope Francis, Maltese leaders stood united in recognising a pontiff who redefined papal leadership and left an indelible mark on both the Church and global society.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
