The Holy Father’s schedule for his visit to Malta on April 2-3, 2022, was released Friday by the Vatican.
Last year the Holy Father undertook three Apostolic Journeys outside of Italy. The first to Iraq, from March 5-8; the second to Budapest, for the closing of the International Eucharistic Congress on September 12, and immediately after to Slovakia, until the 15th of the same month. Finally, the most recent trip took the Pontiff first to Cyprus and then to Greece, from December 2-6.
The trip to Malta will be Pope Francis’ 36th Apostolic Journey outside of Italy, who during his pontificate has touched 51 nations. Before going to Malta, the Holy Father is scheduled to go to Florence on Sunday, February 28. He will celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Holy Cross, at the end of his meeting with the Bishops and Mayors of the Mediterranean.
A Postponed Visit
The visit to Malta was planned for May of 2020. Then, unfortunately, because of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided, prudently, to postpone the trip. The first hypothesized date was last December but in that case, there were no official communications. Now, finally, the trip has been planned for the beginning of the spring, during Lent. In this connection, we remind that this year again the Curia’s Spiritual Exercises in the period preceding Easter, will not be held communally in Ariccia’s Divine Master House but individually.
Previous Papal Visits
Pope Francis will be the third Pontiff to visit Malta, after Saint John Paul II’s two visits, in 1990 and 2001, and Benedict XVI’s visit on April 17-18, 2010.
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Saturday 2 April 2022
ROME – MALTA
| 8:30 | Departure by airplane from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport to Malta |
| 10:00 | Arrival at Malta International Airport |
| 10:00 | Welcome Ceremony at Malta International Airport |
| 10:50 | Courtesy Visit to the President of the Republic in the “Ambassadors’ Chamber” of the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta |
| 11:35 | Meeting with the Prime Minister in the “Pages’ Chamber” of the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta |
| 11:50 | Meeting with the Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps in the “Grand Council Chamber” of the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta |
| 15:50 | Departure by catamaran from Valletta Grand Harbour to Gozo |
| 17:00 | Arrival at Mgarr Harbour |
| 17:30 | Prayer meeting at the National Shrine of “Ta’ Pinu” in Gozo |
| 18:45 | Departure by ferry from Mgarr Harbour to Malta |
| 19:30 | Arrival at Cirkewwa Harbour and transfer to the Apostolic Nunciature |
Sunday 3 April 2022
MALTA – ROME
| 7:45 | Private meeting with the Members of the Society of Jesus at the Apostolic Nunciature in Rabat |
| 8:30 | Visit to the Grotto of St Paul at the Basilica of St Paul in Rabat |
| 10:15 | Holy Mass at the Granaries in Floriana |
| 16:45 | Meeting with Migrants at the “John XXIII Peace Lab” Centre for Migrants in Hal Far |
| 17:50 | Farewell Ceremony at Malta International Airport |
| 18:15 | Departure by airplane for Rome |
| 19:40 | Arrival at Rome/Fiumicino International Airport> |
| Time zones | |
| Rome | +2h UTC |
| Malta | +2h UTC |
