A tribute to Pope St Pius V : co-founder of Valletta and icon of our national identity

Abstract

It is indeed laudable that for the month of October 2022 the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation has taken the initiative to bring to Malta the authentic pontifical vestments of Pope St Pius V and exhibit these prestigious relics for public veneration at St John’s Co-Cathedral, the crown jewel of our capital city. The advent of these sacred vestments, which coincides with the 450th anniversary of Pius V’s demise, is meant to pay homage to a generous benefactor of our islands who was instrumental in the construction of our capital city as a major defensive bulwark. Together with Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, the Dominican Pope St Pius V is rightly considered as co-founder of our capital city which today enjoys pride of place among UNESCO’s world heritage sites. [Excerpt]