Sunday, 3rd April 2022: Welcome by Fr Dionisio Mintoff and migrants’ testimonies. Peace Lab Pope John XXIII, Ħal Far.
Most Blessed Father Francis,
It is an immense joy and a great honor to welcome you among us. Your presence confirms us in our Faith in Jesus and encourages us even more to put ourselves at the service of those who suffer and who need our closeness, our care and our comfort.
Nobody would like to leave their history and their loved ones behind, but war, hunger and the inability to build their own future and that of their children push many men and women to flee their homeland and seek a safe place.
We know that these people, regardless of race or religious faith, are children of God, recipients of his unconditional, tender love.
We are aware that as Christians, we are called to offer them in a concrete way acceptance and the possibility of life, and your urgent appeals to be close to the weakest spur us to do better and to continue our daily mission towards those who, whether for a limited time or permanently, land on our Island, to escape from misery and to have a better life.
Also for this reason, we thank you for your visit, Holy Father!