Is Malta a proxy for the UK or Holy See?
Search Knights of Malta.
Malta is like a mixed breed canine. According to Wiki, Malta became a British colony in 1813, serving as a way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet ... The British Parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta ... It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
My impression from the Joseph Mifsud saga is that it is somewhat under the guide of Italy; the Malta archipelago is just south of Sicily / Italy. Perhaps the British influence somewhat persists on the islands. I have no knowledge of Vatican political influence - i.e. I really do not know.