“Unfortunately, there is yet another potentate who sadly embraces nationalist claims that are completely out of date.” The Pope has previously condemned the unwarranted aggression and horrors of the current war, but kept it neutral on Putin and Russia.
The Pope spoke at his reception by Maltese dignitaries and diplomats in the capital Valletta. He arrived there on Saturday morning for a two-day visit. The visit to Malta is his 36th official visit to countries outside Italy.
On all those trips, he walked up the plane stairs himself. Trips were also planned for him to Malta in early 2020 and late 2021, but these were canceled due to corona measures. Of the more than half a million inhabitants of the islands that make up the state of Malta, more than 80 percent are Roman Catholic. The islands have considered themselves a Christian stronghold for almost 2000 years, more than 300 kilometers from Islamic North Africa. Malta, Gozo and Comino are dotted with Roman Catholic churches. It is estimated that there is one church per thousand inhabitants.