• Speech by the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Alessandro D’Errico

  • The President’s Palace, Attard

    12th October 2017

    Your Excellency, Madam President,

    It has been a great honor for me to present to Your Excellency, the Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis, accrediting me as Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to the Republic of Malta, together with the Letter of Recall of my Predecessor.

    Recalling Your Excellency’s visits to the Vatican of 2014 and 2016, the Holy Father has instructed me to convey to Your Excellency, as well as to the Members of the Government of the Republic of Malta and to the civil authorities, his warm greetings and fervent wishes for the development, progress and prosperity of the country.

    The Holy Father follows with great attention Malta’s contribution within the European Union

    Madam President, it is well known that the Holy Father and Holy See look at Malta with a privileged attention, for the multi-secular history of solid ties between this Nation and the Holy See and for the ecclesial dynamism of this Catholic community. The Holy Father is happy with the good relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Malta, which is sanctioned by the numerous bilateral agreements with the aim of a profitable collaboration at the service of the common good. He follows with great attention Malta’s contribution within the European Union. This contribution, in such sad situations of conflict in the Mediterranean and worrisome migration towards Europe, helps towards a search for solutions which both the Church and the Government are committed to in order to promote and implement adequate initiatives, respectful of the dignity of every person.

    The Holy Father wishes that many positive fruits may be achieved through the economic progress which the Republic of Malta has been registering throughout these years. At the same time he hopes that together with this economic progress, opportune initiatives are also offered and indeed increased, to ameliorate the quality of life of citizens, especially with regard to the more vulnerable strata of society.

    I shall be happy to play my part in the common search of initiatives and proposals that might allow Malta to cope with the challenges that it is facing

    During the past few weeks since my arrival in Malta, with great joy I have been able to notice that the Catholic community is actively cooperating in achieving high standards of human and social welfare; and it wishes to continue to offer its contribution, especially in some of the fields more corresponding to its nature: such as culture, education, health care, assistance to needy people, defense of human rights.

    As far as I am concerned, I shall be happy to play my part in the common search of initiatives and proposals that might allow Malta to cope with the challenges that it is facing, both locally and in the international community. And I shall be equally pleased to give my contribution for a fruitful collaboration with the civil authorities and institutions.

    Madam President, at the beginning of my mission, let me add that I do hope and pray that the friendly relations, which so happily exist between Malta and the Holy See will continue to grow in the years to come. In advance I wish to express my gratitude for the support and cooperation of the civil authorities for the fulfillment of my mission.

    May God bless Your Excellency, Your Family and the people of the Republic of Malta.

    Thank you very much, Madame President!