Average age of 43 makes this youngest cabinet in history

Apr 1 2022

With 6 brand new faces being elected and sworn into parliament this week, the average age of this new cabinet of ministers and parliamentary secretaries was calculated to be 43.

This makes it likely to be the youngest cabinet in Maltese history, with most of the members being lawyers. The rest of the members are either health, finance or education experts.

Six of the 23 cabinet members contested the general election for the first time and were given a position. Two of them were appointed ministers: Jonathan Attard given the Ministry of Justice and Jo Etienne Abela given the Ministry for Active Ageing.

As per the other new faces, they were given parliamentary secretary positions. Chris Bonett was given European Funds, Andy Ellul Social Dialogue, Alison Zerafa Civelli given Local Government and Keith Azzopardi Tanti given Youth, Research and Innovation.

The oldest Cabinet member is Dr Anton Refalo, who is 65-years-old. He is followed by Michael Falzon, 60, and Chris Fearne, 59.

Meanwhile, the youngest members of Cabinet are 34-years-old, comprised of Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri and Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo. The members were sworn in by President George Vella last Wednesday, 30th March 2022.

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12,000 people sign up for Papal mass at Granaries

Apr 1 2022

Asked by TVMNews if people could attend without registering for Sunday Mass on the Floriana granaries by Pope Francis, Bishop Galea Curmi revealed that around 12,000 people registered to sit down.

He went on to say that all those who did not register could attend in other areas, but stressed the importance of everyone following the measures imposed by health authorities.

He also stated that up to 300 foreign journalists are estimated to arrive in Malta to report on the arrival of Pope Francis, 80 of them journalists who always accompany the Pope on apostolic visits.

The Pope will be touring some Maltese roads in his official vehicle, using the two popemobles on certain roads when travelling from one locality to another. When in his official car, the Pope will slowly make his way through the streets to greet the crowds who are expected to welcome him.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee responsible for the visit, Aaron Zahra, revealed that in the last few hours, 3 vehicles arrived in Malta.

Galea Curmi said that the message given by Pope Francis in the general audience on Wednesday is an occasion to return to the source of Gospel broadcasting.

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Photo Source: Times of Malta

Two pope-mobiles arrive as Pope Francis makes his way to Malta

Apr 1 2022

Pope Francis will be voyaging around Malta in two pope-mobiles, one for Malta and the other for Gozo, kicking off his island visit on Saturday.

The vehicles will be reserved to get the pontiff into Valletta for the meeting with the highest dignitaries, part of his Gozo trip and again as he enters Floriana for Sunday Mass.

He will be moving around with the official car, a Fiat Cinquecento, the rest of the time. One of the mobiles is built by Mercedes-Benz, which holds the record for the most pope-mobiles ever produced.

The other car is a Dodge, which was donated to the Pope in 2017. For security reasons, it was not revealed which vehicle will be used where.

With both vehicles open on the sides and a clear shield in front and above, the term ‘pope-mobile’ was coined in the 1970s as various brands and styles were used for the church leaders.

An advanced delegation arrived in Malta at the beginning of the week to ensure all is prepared for the visit. Pope Francis’ walking distances and visits were all precisely measured by the delegation.

Meanwhile, 12,000 people registered to attend the Sunday Mass which is set to be held in Floriana on a massive stage.

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Photo Source: Ian Noel Pace

EP president Roberta Metsola on her way to Ukraine

Apr 1 2022

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola revealed that she is on her way to Kyiv, Ukraine.

This makes her the first EU leader to visit the war-torn country as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his invasion of the neighbouring country.

Taking to social media, Metsola wrote on Facebook that ‘On behalf of the European Parliament, I will convey a message of support and hope.

She will be following in the footsteps of Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.

The leaders had all met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in the capital.

US President Joe Biden visited the Polish border last week to show support to his troops, but was prevented from entering Ukraine.

This comes as further sanctions, from both sides, were introduced and as millions of Ukrainians flee the country in what has been one of the largest population displacement since the Second World War.

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Photo Source: Roberta Metsola FB