It was with the deepest sympathy and sorrow that the world learned of the death of Pope John Paul ll at 21.37 on Saturday 2nd April 2005. The Pontiff died in the company of 13 people – old friends and aides from his home country, Poland, and his Italian doctors and nurses. Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope on 16th October 1978. He was then 58, the youngest Pope of the 20th Century. In his early years before becoming pope, he was known for his adventurous hobbies. The world has truly admired the energy and passion that he has brought to his life’s work.

Even in recent years when his health has been frail, His Holiness has remained a dynamic leader, traveling worldwide to meet his people. His conservative views have shaped his leadership and attracted both criticism and respect. Throughout his reign his work to maintain the dignity of mankind against what he saw as the dangers of modern life, together with his personal magnetism, made Pope John Paul ll one of the most remarkable men of our times. A philatelic commemoration of this world-famous personality is indeed a fitting tribute to his memory.

The following is a quotation from a spontaneous speech by His Holiness at the Floriana Granaries on 27th May 1990, on the occasion of his forts visit to the Maltese Islands.

 “The power of Almighty God brought the Apostle Paul to the shores of Malta. It was in the beginning of a new era, of the Christian era. As he was here his destination, was Rome to join Peter. Probably he spoke to the Apostle Peter about Malta. But it seems to me that it was necessary to wait almost 2,000 years so that one of the successors of Peter in Rome could visit Malta.”

“And what should I do now? It was impossible for Paul to remain in Malta. It is also and more impossible for Peter to remain in Malta. So I shall return to Rome and I shall meet Paul. It is necessary to meet Paul and to relate to him about Malta. I shall say ‘Paul, you remember Malta. I found, after so many centuries, it is wonderful church. It is a very strong people, Malta, good Catholic people.’ And returning to Rome, I shall say to the Italian people, in the language you also understand, Sia Lodato Gesu` Cristo!

So after my visit in Malta I shall do all that in Rome, and for the moment also a word in your own language… Grazzi Hafna.