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Catholic World News News Feature

Pope thanks Maltese leader for support on European constitution June 25, 2004

As he met on June 25 with the president of Malta, Pope John Paul II voiced "the sincere appreciation of the Holy See" for Malta's efforts to include a reference to Christianity in the new European constitution.

The Holy Father told President Edward Fenech Adami that his visit to the Vatican was coming "at an important moment in the history of your country." He was referring to Malta's entry into the European Union on May 1. He added: "As Malta takes its rightful place in the European Union, it has a vital role to play in upholding the profoundly Christian identity of this continent."

The effort to include an explicit reference to Christianity in the European constitution-- which was energetically supported by the Vatican, and backed by Malta-- was defeated by the leaders of the 25 European Union nations. Nevertheless the Pope expressed his confidence that Malta would help to revive a proper appreciation for Christian culture, noting that "since the time of St. Paul, Malta has been renowned for its firm adherence to the faith."

President Fenech Adami, in his previous capacity as prime minister of Malta, supervised the negotiations that led to his country's admission into the European Union, and successfully campaigned for public approval of that move in a national referendum in April 2003.

After resigning as prime minister, Fenech Adami was elected to the more ceremonial post of president in April of this year. In Malta, an overwhelmingly Catholic country, it is traditional for a new president to make his first state visit to the Vatican.

During his meeting with the Maltese leader, which was held in the library of the apostolic palace, Pope John Paul spoke in English-- audibly, but with some difficulty in making himself understood. The public meeting was a festive affair, with the Pope obviously delighted by the presence of the Maltese president's six young grandchildren.