Roberto Buontempo has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Jesuits’ Church Foundation, the first person to take on the role.

Mr Buontempo has served as Property Manager for the Archdiocese of Malta since 2019.

He is also Malta’s non-resident Ambassador to Hungary, Chairperson of the Foundation for Affordable Housing and the Lieutenant for Malta of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

In his new role, he has been tasked with heading the Foundation's management team, which is responsible for the preservation, restoration, and operation of the Jesuits’ Church in Valletta.

Photo: DOI

“I’m honoured to take on this responsibility at such an important moment for the Jesuits’ Church,” Mr Buontempo said.

"The Foundation’s work safeguards not only an architectural landmark but also a living spiritual and cultural space. I look forward to collaborating with all our partners to support its restoration and mission.”

David Camilleri, Chairman of the Foundation, expressed his delight at the appointment.

“We are delighted to have someone of Roberto’s calibre on board. He is committed to ecclesial service and extremely well equipped to develop and promote the Jesuits’ Church as a cultural destination,” he said.

One of Malta’s most historically and spiritually significant landmarks, the Jesuits’ Church was originally built by the Jesuit Order between the late 1500s and early 1600s.

The church is located near the Old University Building, which was once a Jesuit college, and is sometimes referred to as the birthplace of the University of Malta.

Extensive restoration and conservation work is currently underway to preserve the building for future generations and display its rich collection of art, including paintings by Mattia Preti, Giovanni Battista Caracciolo, Stefano Erardi, and Alessio Erardi, among others.

The Foundation was jointly established by the Church and State in 2021 to oversee conservation work, educational and cultural outreach, fundraising initiatives, and the long-term stewardship of the church’s artistic heritage.