Pope Francis's visit this May has unfortunately been postponed due to the Coronavirus
Today marks 10 years since Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the Maltese islands, the third papal visit in Malta following two by his predecessor Pope John Paul II in 1990 and 2001.
The visit had been a relatively short one lasting only 26 hours, but Pope Benedict XVI was kept busy with visits to St Vincent de Paul where he was greeted by hundreds of elderly residents as well as as a heartwarming welcome by 5,000 schoolchildren at Palace Square in Valletta.
The visit culminated at the Granaries in Floriana, which were packed with large crowds - over 9,000 people - eager to see Pope Benedict XVI in person and attend the Papal Mass.
ZAK Marsaxlokk / Facebook
Earlier this year, Malta was getting ready to welcome Pope Francis for his first visit to the Maltese islands, but due to the Coronavirus, the May visit got indefinitely postponed.