Pope Francis concluded his three-leg Apostolic Visit to Mozambique, Madagascar, and Mauritius on Tuesday morning. He is scheduled to touch down in Rome at about 7pm.

The Air Madagascar Airbus plane that is bringing Pope Francis back to the Vatican at the end of his 31st Apostolic Journey abroad has taken off from Antananarivo International Airport.

As is customary, the Pope’s outbound flight is always by Italy’s national airline Alitalia, while the national airline of the country he is leaving is the one to bring him back home…

Pope Francis wrapped up his two-day Apostolic Visit to Madagascar on Sunday evening at Antananarivo’s Saint Michel College, an institute founded by French Jesuit missionaries in 1888 and that has become a well-known center for higher education throughout the region.  

The Pope’s message to the men and women gathered in Antananarivo to be with their pastor, was one of thanks for their hard work – often carried out in difficult situations – and of encouragement in times of difficulty…

We are deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of hundreds of asylum-seekers – men, women and children – on medical grounds at the Initial Reception Centre and Safi Barracks. We believe that, in many cases, the detention is completely unlawful.

National law allows the health authorities to restrict an individual’s movement for medical screening for a period not exceeding four weeks, which may be exceptionally extended up to ten weeks for the purpose of finalising any tests that may be necessary…

Ms Josephine Mercieca, home manager at Dar Sant’Anna in Senglea, has retired after 13 years of service with the Church Homes for the Elderly. In a recent farewell event, Mons. Charles Cordina, the Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia, thanked her for her determination and for leading by example both at Dar Sant’Anna and also at Casa Leone in St Julian’s, a home she managed until 2016…