(RV - 17 Apr 2010) "Jien kuntent ħafna li ninsab fostkom! It gives me great
joy to be here in Malta with you today. I come among you as a pilgrim to worship
the Lord and to praise him for the wonders he has worked here. I come also as the
Successor of Saint Peter to confirm you in the faith (cf. Lk 22:32) and to join you
in prayer to the one living and true God, in the company of all the Saints, including
the great Apostle of Malta, Saint Paul. Though my visit to your country is short,
I pray that it will bear much fruit."
These were the first words of Pope Benedict
XVI as he set foot on Maltese soil at Luqa International Airport, over one hour ago,
at 5pm local time. The 24-hour visit to the Mediterranean Island is Pope Benedict’s
14th International Apostolic Voyage.
Emer McCarthy is travelling
with the Pope, and joins us now live on the line from Valletta: