Wow! Hamrun’s St. Cajetan becomes the first Maltese statue to enter the Vatican
The statue was taken to Rome earlier this month to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Theatine Order.
In a historic moment for Malta, Pope Francis blessed Hamrun’s iconic statue of St. Cajetan, marking the first time a Maltese statue has entered the Vatican.
The life-size papier-mâché statue of Hamrun’s patron saint, crafted by renowned Maltese sculptor Carlo Darmanin in 1885, was taken to Rome earlier this month to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Theatine Order.
Accompanied by nearly 1,000 Maltese pilgrims, the statue's journey was a monumental occasion, as it had never left its parish in Hamrun since its completion over a century ago.
The statue was first displayed in the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome before its grand arrival at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, where it received the Pope’s personal blessing.
St. Peter’s Square was packed with devoted followers, including many from Malta who had travelled to witness this historic event. Pilgrims and admirers gathered in the heart of Vatican City to honour St. Cajetan, reflecting both religious and cultural pride for Malta.
After the blessing, the statue returned to the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle before its scheduled return to Hamrun on the 30th of September.
This remarkable journey not only highlights the deep devotion to St. Cajetan but also marks an unforgettable chapter in Malta’s religious history, as the statue becomes the first from the island nation to be displayed and blessed within the Vatican's sacred grounds.
What an honour!