Former Gozo Bishop Mario Grech has been named by the Pope among 13 new cardinals.
The nomination follows Mgr Grech's appointment as secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.
Grech stepped down from his former role as bishop of Gozo last month.
He will be the first Gozitan to become cardinal. Grech, 62, was appointed bishop to head the diocese of Gozo in 2005, succeeding long-serving Bishop Nikol Cauchi. As cardinal he will be eligible to vote in the next conclave to elect the next pope.
The new cardinals will be appointed on November 28.
Previous Maltese cardinals
He will be the first Maltese cardinal since, Prospero Grech passed away last December.
Nifirħu u nitolbu għall-E.T. Mons @GrechMario pic.twitter.com/mEkQmirW67
— Archdiocese of Malta (@Archdiocese_MT) October 25, 2020
Cardinal Prospero Grech had been too old to be eligible to participate in conclaves.
The only other previous Maltese cardinal was Fabrizio Sceberras Testaferrata, who was born in 1757 in Valletta.
He was made cardinal in 1816 and participated in three conclaves - in 1823 which elected Pope Leo XII, in 1829 which elected Pope Pius VII and in 1830-31 which elected Pope Gregory XVI.
Most welcome news. HE Bishop Mario Grech has been elevated to the College of Cardinals. On behalf of all Maltese, and fellow Gozitans, I wish His Eminence all the best for the future. May he employ his vast knowledge, determination, and experience as he always did in the past.
— George Vella (@presidentmt) October 25, 2020
President's congratulations
President George Vella, the bishops of Malta and Gozo, the government and the opposition congratulated Mgr Grech, describing his appointment as an honour and a privilege Malta and Gozo.