The Basilica of Christ the King

DIRECTIONS TO THE CHURCH

A Living Monument of Faith: The Story of the Basilica of Christ the King

Following the celebration of the 24th International Eucharistic Congress held in Malta from 23–27 April 1913, Bishop Pietro Pace expressed the desire for a new church to be built in Paola (Raħal Ġdid) to commemorate this important spiritual event. Although written documentation is limited, a commemorative souvenir given to those who contributed financially clearly states that the new parish church was intended as a monument to the Eucharistic Congress.

Foundations of a Dream

The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 30 June 1923, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the area known as Tal-Borġ. The first stone above foundation level followed on 24 February 1924.

From early on, there was also the hope that the new church might one day be granted the title of Minor Basilica, much like other churches built to mark Eucharistic Congresses - such as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Montmartre, Paris. Though this wish wasn’t officially recorded at the time, it is hinted at in photographs showing a temporary baldacchino erected over the high altar while the church was still under construction. Notably, this baldacchino was the same one used during the 1913 Eucharistic Congress and reused for the first Mass celebrated on-site on 25 July 1928.

Becoming a Parish Church

A Renewed Effort After the War

Once the structure was complete enough to be roofed and enclosed, parochial duties were transferred from the Church of Saint Ubaldesca to the new church on 22 March 1936. However, construction soon slowed and eventually came to a halt during World War II.

Following the war, work on the church picked up again. In 1954, Parish Priest Fr. Francis Xuereb commissioned a marble altar from a Roman company, described in letters as an "altare basilicale" - a freestanding altar typical of basilicas before Vatican II reforms. Construction was completed in 1959, and the church was solemnly consecrated on 3 June 1967 by Archbishop Michael Gonzi.

Realising the Basilica Vision

The dream of erecting a permanent baldacchino over the high altar lived on. Although a design by Romeo Cecotti was approved in 1969, it wasn't until Parish Priest Fr. Marc André Camilleri revived the request that it moved forward. On 14 July 2019, during a pastoral visit, Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna gave his blessing to formally petition the Holy See for the church to be declared a basilica.

Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the dream was finally fulfilled. On Palm Sunday, 5 April 2020, The Roman Pontiff, through a decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, granted the church the title and dignity of Minor Basilica. The baldacchino was completed shortly after and blessed by Archbishop Scicluna during a thanksgiving Mass on the titular feast day, 26 July 2020.

From early on, there was also the hope that the new church might one day be granted the title of Minor Basilica, much like other churches built to mark Eucharistic Congresses - such as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Montmartre, Paris. Though this wish wasn’t officially recorded at the time, it is hinted at in photographs showing a temporary baldacchino erected over the high altar while the church was still under construction. Notably, this baldacchino was the same one used during the 1913 Eucharistic Congress and reused for the first Mass celebrated on-site on 25 July 1928.