Malta, a small Mediterranean archipelago with a population of around half a million, may soon be represented at the highest level of the Catholic Church by one of its own.
Cardinal Mario Grech, 68, formerly bishop of Gozo—a Maltese island—has risen to prominence as a leading candidate for the papacy due to his influential role as secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, an advisory Vatican body tasked with addressing issues related to the Church’s global mission.
Under Pope Francis, the Synod of Bishops has undergone a significant transformation, most notably through the launch of the Synod on Synodality, a multi-year process inviting both clergy and laypeople—including women—to engage collaboratively in shaping the Church’s direction. Pope Francis described this effort as a journey of "walking together."
While Cardinal Grech’s earlier tenure as bishop of Gozo from 2005 to 2020 was marked by conservative positions on issues such as homosexuality and divorce—he notably opposed Malta’s 2011 divorce referendum—his stance has evolved under Pope Francis’s leadership, who elevated him to cardinal in 2020. He is widely viewed as a figure who could provide continuity for the Church’s ongoing reforms.
The synod process began in 2021 with consultations across local churches worldwide, opening rare opportunities for Catholics to influence the Church’s future priorities. Although the synod concluded in 2024, many contentious topics, including the possibility of ordaining women as deacons, were deferred to specialized study groups.
In March 2024, with papal approval, Cardinal Grech extended the synod’s timeline through 2028, culminating in a comprehensive assembly that will engage multiple tiers of Church leadership.
Should Cardinal Grech ascend to the papacy, these inclusive discussions are expected to persist. Nevertheless, the synod has faced criticism from traditionalists who worry it may undermine the authority of the pope and bishops, and from others questioning how representative the process has been, given that only a small fraction of the global Catholic population has participated.
Proponents argue that such synodal engagement is essential for the Church’s relevance in the modern world.
Helena Jeppesen-Spuhler, a participant in the synod and representative of a Swiss Catholic relief organization, emphasized that the synod’s success is vital for the Church to become "more participatory and inclusive." She warned that failure to implement meaningful changes could have dire consequences, particularly in Central Europe, a concern reportedly shared by many cardinals.
As synod secretary general, Cardinal Grech has become a pivotal figure in this reform initiative. Among the 133 cardinal electors, who often hold divergent views on Church matters, many recognize his leadership and commitment to fostering a more participatory governance structure.
Approximately 60 cardinals attended at least one of the synod’s month-long sessions in 2023 and 2024, making Cardinal Grech a familiar and respected presence within the College of Cardinals despite their geographical dispersion.
Beyond his synodal duties, Cardinal Grech has championed causes aligned with Pope Francis’s priorities. Malta’s position as a key Mediterranean entry point for migrants has prompted him to advocate for European openness. Additionally, following the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, he highlighted the vulnerability of fleeing women and children to human trafficking.
However, like several senior Church officials over the past two decades, Cardinal Grech has faced criticism for insufficient action regarding sexual abuse allegations within his diocese. He is listed on a monitoring platform that assesses cardinals' responses to abuse cases.
During his episcopate, he initiated several measures to address abuse, including establishing a commission dedicated to protecting children and vulnerable adults. Still, critics argue that more decisive responses could have been taken in certain instances.
Some abuse allegations are connected to Lourdes Home, an orphanage run by the Dominican Sisters of Malta on Gozo, which closed in 2008. Following an inquiry commissioned by the Church, an apology was issued that same year. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI met privately with some survivors.
Lara Dimitrijevic, a lawyer representing two survivors in an ongoing constitutional case against the Maltese state, criticized the Church for not providing adequate psychological support to victims.
"The trauma is so severe that many of these women in their 50s continue to suffer today," she said, describing the abuse as "vile."
One survivor involved in the lawsuit, Carmen Muscat, 52, expressed dissatisfaction with Cardinal Grech’s role and called for compensation. "We have not received justice, and that is unfair," she stated. Requests for comment from Cardinal Grech were not immediately answered.
