Prior to departing Malta, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin made a poignant visit to the Collegiate Basilica and Grotto of Saint Paul in Rabat. This stop highlighted the deep Christian roots tied to the Apostle Paul’s shipwreck on the island nearly 2,000 years ago.
The Cardinal was warmly received by Canon Karl Andrew Schembri, Vice Archpriest of the Parish. He was accompanied by Mgr Pavol Talapka, Desk Officer at the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, and Mgr Ervin Lengyel, of the Apostolic Nunciature in Malta.
During the visit, Cardinal Parolin received a concise historical overview of the basilica, a key site in Maltese Christianity. He prayed in the Grotto of Saint Paul—traditionally believed to be where the Apostle was imprisoned—and venerated the titular statue of Saint Paul. He also paid homage to the relic of the saint’s arm.
The visit formed part of Cardinal Parolin’s broader trip to Malta, which concluded celebrations for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Malta and the Holy See. Earlier that day, he presided over a solemn Mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, concelebrated with the Bishops of Malta and Gozo, emeritus bishops, priests, and religious. In his homily, the Cardinal reflected on the hospitality shown to the shipwrecked Paul as a timeless symbol of encounter, dialogue, and peace. He emphasized that true authority stems from trust, responsibility, and relationship with God and others, urging Malta to remain a bridge of peace amid global conflicts and fragmentation.
Archbishop Charles Scicluna thanked Cardinal Parolin, noting the visit strengthened the bond between Malta’s people and the See of Peter.
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