After receiving a 50-centimetre rose from Pope Bendicth during his visit in Malta, the Our Lady of Ta' Pinu icon was brought back to Gozo this afternoon in a carcade. It left the Mosta rotunda this afternoon in a carcade accompanied by Archbishop Paul Cremona and the Apostolic Nuncio to Malta Mgr. Tommasso Caputo. The carcade arrived with the 4.30pm ferry on Gozo Channel’s Ta’ Pinu vessel. 

At Mgarr the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, welcomed the arrival and made a short speech before starting a new carcade travelling via Ghajnsielem, Xewkija, Victoria and Ghasri. In Ghajnsielem, the carcade passed from Mgarr Road, Moghdija Street and stopped briefly the Main Square.

The carcade arrived at the Sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu at around 6.30 pm, where a solemn celebration was led by Bishop Mario Grech, Mgr Paul Cremona Archbishop and the Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Caputo Tommasso.

During the end of the Papal Mass, Pope Benedict donated a 50-centimetre rose in gilt silver to Our Lady of Ta' Pinu icon, which was brought over to Malta from Ta' Pinu sanctuary for the occasion.