Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535170
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL FRIDAY 9 MAY 2025 • ISSUE 044 • PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY gozotoday €1.00 Variable interest rate of 2.80% * Low contribution Low collateral requirements *Business Lending Bank Base Rate presently at 2.15%, Interest Margin and EIF Guarantee Fee. The BOV SME Grow and the BOV SME Grow Green are funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund with the financial backing of the Republic of Malta under the InvestEU Member State Compartment for Malta. All loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from the Bank. Issued by Bank of Valletta p.l.c., 58, Triq San Żakkarija, il-Belt Valletta, VLT 1130. Bank of Valletta p.l.c. is a public limited company regulated by the MFSA and is licenced to carry out the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the laws of Malta). Grow green BOV SME Supporting Your Vision CONTACT US PAGE 4 Gozo's bus centenary: celebrating 100 years of island service 'Habemus Papam': US Cardinal Robert Prevost elected new Pope Leo IV CARDINAL Robert Prevost has been chosen by the conclave of cardinals to lead the Roman Catholic Church and has taken on the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first pope from the USA, born in Chicago, Illinois. The 69-year-old, who is part of the Augustinian order, was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in Septem- ber 2023. Having been the Bishop of Peru, he has strong connections in Latin America and is fluent in Spanish and Italian. White smoke emanated from the roof of the Sistine Chapel in the Vat- ican on Thursday at around 6pm, marking the end of the wait for the new pontiff. Photo: Johann Tonna PAGE 3 Cardinal Robert Prevost is the new pope. His chosen papal name is Pope Leo XIV In 1925, buses began running on Gozo for the first time. A century later, the island is marking this milestone with two Emajor events in 2025, bringing history back to life through classic bus tours, exhibitions, and the launch of a landmark book.