President missed out on papal beatification due to government gaffe

Informed sources said officials at the Palace echoed the President’s anger with the Foreign Office for not having passed on information requested by the Holy See to reserve seating during the beatification ceremony.

MaltaToday is informed that the Holy See asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit names of officials from Malta who wished to attend the beatification ceremony at St Peter’s Square.

The Holy See reserved seating for a number of VIP’s from all over the world to attend the ceremony.

While Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe surprised many by his presence, a whole row of seats was reserved for Maltese officials who attended the ceremony.

Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg, Minister George Pullicino, Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi, Nationalist MP Beppe Fenech Adami and his father, former President Eddie Fenech Adami all travelled to Rome and attended the ceremony that was led by Pope Benedict XVI.

No public funds were used and all the officials travelled at their own expense with their spouses.

The incident caused embarrassment to government and the Holy See, and led to a formal apology by the Apostolic Nunciature for the misunderstanding.

A senior government spokesman admitted that there had been some form of misunderstanding with the Office of the President, and described the case as “unfortunate”.

An official at the Palace told MaltaToday that President Abela would have loved to attend the ceremony if he had known that there was a request by the Holy See to have places reserved at the ceremony.

Former President Eddie Fenech Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, former Opposition leader Alfred Sant, Ministers and officials from political parties had attended Pope John Paul II funeral in 2006.