Mgr Charles Scicluna is to be appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Malta, succeeding the late Mgr Annetto Depasquale, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa.
The announcement is expected to be made by the Vatican tomorrow.
Born in 1959, Mgr Scicluna distinguished himself in the Holy See as the Promoter of Justice at the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith working closely with Cardinal Ratzinger before he became Pope Benedict.
He has also been the chief prosecutor in child abuse cases involving the clergy.
Last year Mgr Scicluna caused ripples in the local church when he criticised its handling of local abuse cases and pushed for a faster conclusion. He also indicated that the victims deserved compensation.